Edited by Absolem (:

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Yūji Itadori was bundled up in a heavy blanket that had been crocheted by Yūta. Yūta had made it a "Christmas" gift for Lilly. Yūji used the word "Christmas" lightly because the Suzuran family celebrated something called Winter's Veil which looked an awful lot like a Frankenstein's monster of winter holidays. They still exchanged gifts, although it was a requirement for it to be hand-made, nothing pre-bought.

Yūji had a blanket of his own that Yūta made for him, but he left it at home. Since he was staying at the Suzuran's, he had commandeered Lilly's blanket.

He sniffled, rubbing his itchy nose. When he looked down at his finger, instead of snot there was soot.

Ugh.

The reason he was staying at the Suzuran household was because he was still adjusting to his newfound powers after chugging that revolting potion. Yūji always prided himself on an iron gut, and that was by far the nastiest thing he had ever consumed.

There was the sound of footsteps on the steps.

The bottom of the house was Lilly's tea shop. There were stairs that connected the shop to the house. The teashop door, Yūji had come to learn, was magical. It could connect to any door in the world (and perhaps beyond). Anyone with Lilly's blessing could use that blessing like a key and create a connection from anywhere.

Yūji's blessing was in the palm of his right hand. All he had to do was touch a doorknob and think about the tea shop and when he opened the door, it'd be to the tea shop. Yūta's was in his left hand.

Yūji wondered if it was Yūta–

Nope.

A young man with bright white hair and bandages wrapped around his eyes entered the living room from the teashop. Yūji recognized him from the picture Yūta had shown him.

He was Satoru Gojō: Yūta's teacher, kidnapper, and potential father-in-law.

Much to Yūta's horror.

Although Yūji privately thought Yūta would object to anyone dating his mom. The concept of a parent with a love life was foreign and strange to many teenagers. Yūji would be equally disturbed if his grandfather started to date.

"Hey child," said Satoru.

"Hey old man," Yūji returned. "What are you here for? Auntie's not in today."

"I know. I'm here for you."

"Me?" Yūji asked. "Oh hang on—"

Yūji clutched his nose, squinting hard. He held his breath, hoping nothing would come out this time. A moment passed.

"Sorry," apologized Yūji. He lowered his hand and hugged the blanket closer. He sat on the floor of the living room, a handheld gaming device in his lap. "Ever since Auntie gave me that potion, I've started to sneeze fireballs."

"No way, really?" Satoru laughed. "Can I see?"

"Uh—" Yūji wasn't given much time to protest because Satoru pulled out a feather—Why did he have that in the first place?—and tickled Yūji's nose.

Yūji sneezed and a ball of fire flew out of his mouth. It hit the floor and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Thankfully, Lilly had fire-proofed the house shortly before Yūji took the potion. No idea how she did it. Magic, Yūji guessed.

Satoru beamed. "Wow, that's a fun party trick."

Yūji sniffled, shrugging. "I guess. More annoying if I sneeze on my food though."

"Ah, I can see how that would be irritating." Satoru sat on the floor beside Yūji. "How's training?"

"Fun," he said. It had only been a week since he ingested that potion so he hadn't had a chance to do much more than test things out. Aside from sneezing fireballs, he had gained a level of immunity against fire and heat in general. He could hold his hand over an open flame and it would feel lukewarm to him.

His clothes could still get destroyed—he found that out the hard way when Auntie Lilly dropped him into magma—but Yūji himself was largely impervious.

She said he had gained a second stomach, one that would be fueled by energy and could produce fire for him.

He had no idea how to control it. Lilly reassured him that it would come with time.

He already liked training with Yūta and Uncle Tōji. Now that he had powers?

Yūji was excited for his future. It made him grin happily at the thought.

Satoru smiled back at him. "Good. You know Yūta's my student now, right?"

"Yeah. Yūta filled me in about Jujutsu and whatnot," said Yūji. "Auntie said I couldn't join him right now though."

"Yes, she told me the same thing. Which is fine—no arguments from me," Satoru said, "but, see, I've got this kiddo under me who's your age. He can't join this year either. He'll start next year."

Yūji frowned. "Uh-huh?"

"Which is when you might start too," said Satoru. "Right?"

"Auntie said I should have the basics down in a year," said Yūji, thinking back to their conversation. "If Yūta's still attending next year, then yeah I'll join too."

"Excellent! So! How about becoming friends with my brat?" Satoru cheerfully asked.

"Ehhh…? Can he not make friends on his own?" Yūji warily asked. "Is he, like, a super dick?"

"Heart of gold," insisted Satoru. "Besides, Lilly told me you and Yūtai don't have many friends either."

Yūji grimaced. He couldn't refute that. He got along well enough with all of his classmates, however, he didn't hang out with any of them after school. He couldn't call them friends.

"It's not that surprising," said Satoru. "Normal humans have a natural aversion to us. It can't be helped. Megumi's a good kid. There's not a lot of people his age he can be friends with."

"In that case…" Yuji shrugged. "Okay."

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Lilly set the tea tray on the coffee table. On the tray was a pot of tea, two cups, and a plate of cookies.

Another friend for Yūji, Lilly thought happily.

Satoru said he would bring Megumi over any minute. She hoped the two would bond so her second son could have another friend.

Yūta was doing well at school. He connected with his classmates—especially with a boy named Toge. The two even took missions together. They were on one that day, actually. She was elated for him. She hoped that Yūji would be able to make a friend too.

Yūji still had issues sneezing fireballs. Lilly expected that to die down over another week, although she could be wrong. It was a good sign that the fireballs were the only significant side effect to the transition. When her poor baby Yūta took his potion he started to constantly generate low-charge static so he kept frying electronics when he touched them for a whole month. He was also forced to take his baths in a wild spring so he'd stop exploding in the bathroom.

For the moment she made Yūji a fireproof handkerchief he could hold over his nose that would absorb the fire whenever he sneezed. That way he wouldn't cause a scene if it happened in public.

Her pink-haired boy was washing the dishes in the kitchen as thanks for her making cookies. She heard the familiar sound of her tea shop door opening, followed by footsteps coming up the steps.

"Honey I'm home," Satoru mockingly cried out.

"Welcome back sweetie!" Lilly said gleefully.

"Since when have you lived here?" Yūji retorted, drying his hands.

Satoru came up from the steps, beaming. "Always, didn't you know?"

"That's right," Lilly said. "Always."

The two exchanged smiles.

"I feel obligated on behalf of Yūta to say ew," Yūji politely informed them.

Satoru chuckled. He stepped further into the living room and motioned for a boy to follow behind him.

The boy was the same age as Yūji. He had dark eyes, black spiky hair, and actually now that Lilly was looking at him–

Huh! He looks so familiar. Kind of reminds me of Tōji. Wonder if they're related?

The Zen'in family, according to Tōji, was quite large so it was possible.

Satoru said, "Megumi Fushiguro, this is Yūji Itadori and Lilly Suzuran."

Fushiguro? Hmm, maybe not then.

The boy nodded politely. "Hello."

"Yo," said Yūji.

"Delight to meet you, troisième fils," Lilly beamed.

Satoru snorted. "Lilly, please. Vous ne pouvez pas adopter tous les enfants que vous rencontrez."

Lilly batted her eyes, posing innocently as she sweetly asked, "Pourquoi pas?"

His smile stretched into a grin. "Comme tu veux." He slung an arm around Lilly and pulled her to his side as he addressed Yūji and Megumi. "We'll be back in a few hours. Have fun."

Megumi looked at him with tired acceptance. "Okay."

Yūji gave them two thumbs up. "Thanks. I've always wanted someone to arrange a playdate for me. I can check this off my bucket list."

"Really?" Megumi asked, incredulous.

"No. This is super awkward."

Megumi's lips twitched. He almost smiled, but caught himself and coughed instead.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

A month later

Yūta stepped out of the black car. He adjusted his white uniform, disliking when it got bunched up.

He was the only student at Jujutsu High that had a white uniform. The white uniform was reserved for "troubled" students to make them easier to spot. His power, combat ability, and "dubious origins" were marks against him. Especially his family. He was not raised in the Jujutsu community, so someone of his status being brought in warranted instant suspicion per the higher-ups.

If it wasn't for Satoru vouching for him, Yūta had a sneaky suspicion they would have marked him an enemy.

Which, really, was more rude than anything.

He wasn't surprised Satoru kidnapped him and abandoned his bread on the sidewalk. If the society he grew up in was so inconsiderate, how could he grow up to be anything else?

At least his classmates were nice.

More than nice, actually. Yūta genuinely liked his peers, something he hadn't experienced since kindergarten.

Maki was straightforward and brash, but steadfast in her loyalty. She didn't put up with nonsense and was always quick to call Satoru out when he was getting too riled up. Her temper wasn't the best—she was quick to aggressive actions if they were sparring—yet he did not mind.

Panda was coy and kind. He had a teasing personality and took everything around him in stride. Yūta was certain Panda would get along well with Yūji if the two ever met. His humor didn't always line up with Yūta's, but he was mindful to never make Yūta uncomfortable, which Yūta greatly appreciated.

And last was Toge, the classmate Yūta got along with best. He was kind, overly so. It made Yūta want to look out for him because Yūta knew firsthand that people would take advantage of that kindness. A calm, intelligent boy, with pretty eyes and a nice smile.

Their classes were varied in instruction. Satoru wasn't one to lecture, preferring to encourage individual growth with his guidance. It was surprisingly well-suited for the four of them. Satoru didn't teach basic education—no math, science, or things of that nature—because Jujutsu High was always intended to be attended to after high school.

There were some exceptions, but in general, Jujutsu High was hyper-focused on anything Jujutsu related.

Their mornings started with some light reading, then transitioned into a brief lecture. After that it was all hands-on training for the rest of the day. Their schedule was only disrupted on days they were assigned a mission.

Yūta had gone on several missions by that point, although he most frequently went out with Toge. Toge was the only one in their class authorized to lead a mission without Satoru's supervision. Any time Toge had a mission, Yūta volunteered to tag along.

He liked hanging out with Toge. Plus, their auxiliary manager, Kiyotaka Ijichi, always let them stop someplace afterward for a snack or meal instead of taking them straight back to school. Which instantly endeared him to Yūta.

Kiyotaka was a tall, reedy man who looked one disaster away from a complete mental breakdown. As their auxiliary manager, it was his job to drive them to the site and give them a brief report. Kiyotaka was supposed to remain outside the barrier and call for backup if they were not out by a certain time period.

That day, Toge and Yūta had another mission together.

Kiyotaka drove them to a decrepit shopping alleyway, explaining that it was due for demolition but when surveyors came out they noticed a group of low level Cursed Spirits. Toge and Yūta were to exterminate them.

Simple enough.

In the car on the way over, Toge and Yūta sat beside each other in the back seat. Toge held up his phone. There was a picture of a small restaurant from Google.

"Is it nearby?" asked Yūta.

Toge nodded.

"Wanna go after this?"

Toge nodded again.

"Okay, let's do that," agreed Yūta.

"We're here," said Kiyotaka.

Yūta and Toge exited the car, with Kiyotaka following behind.

The two of them stepped into the decrepit shopping alleyway. Their auxiliary manager put up a curtain behind them.

"This place looks like shit," signed Yūta.

"No kidding," Toge signed back.

"Although that crêpe sign is making me hungry," Yūta signed. He gestured to a dilapidated sign that had the faded word of crêpes on it. "Does that tea shop have food?"

Toge nodded, "Yeah, their buns look nice."

"What kind—" Yūta stopped mid-signing when he noticed… something.

He had worked with their handler before. Not often enough to have the man's signature memorized, but enough to know he wasn't particularly powerful.

"What's wrong?" Toge asked.

"Someone put up a second curtain," signed Yūta, his eyes narrowed in thought.

It was cleverly hidden, a thin curtain barely overtop the original one.

Curtains, as far as Yūta was aware, could only be put up by other Sorcerers. He didn't recognize the lingering signature, which told him it was a stranger.

"I'm taking the lead," Yūta signed.

Toge held up the okay sign.

Yūta stepped forward, walking quietly down the alleyway. His eyes roamed around until a swarm of low-level Cursed Spirits surged before him. Yūta saw no reason to let Toge waste his speech on them, and so he brought down a rain of sparks to destroy them.

He raised his right hand, palm flat, then pulled it down. Following his fingertips, a cascade of electricity rained upon the swarm. It was a silent light show, the sparks barely making a noise as it completely eliminated the group within seconds.

That was likely the group for the initial mission, thought Yūta, looking around until—

There!

There sat a man high above them on a walkway. He was in his twenties with long black hair partially tied up behind his head. He wore dark monk robes, although the design did not look to be affiliated with any of the nearby temples.

"Us or them," Mother whispered to him as she kissed his forehead goodnight. "Never forget that, little one."

Yūta shot forward, Kurai's wings jutting out from behind him. He summoned a blade of electricity in his right hand.

He slammed into the walkway, holding the tip of his blade out to the man who did not react.

The monk was eerily calm, even smiling despite the dangerous situation.

Yūta stood before the strange man, his eyes cold. "State your purpose."

The man held up his hands in the universal gesture of surrender, but his hard gaze told a different story. "Come now, why so violent? I only wanted to meet you."

Yūta stonily stared down at the man, his expression giving away none of his disdain and distrust.

"How about you put away your blade—?"

"Us or them," Mother told him the first time she trained him.

Yūta moved to stab the man—not in a lethal spot, but somewhere it would hurt. The monk quickly moved away, displaying a level of speed that made Yūta even warier.

Doesn't feel like a Cursed Spirit, thought Yūta.

"Who are you?" Yūta frostily asked. His grip on his electric blade tightened. "I will not ask again."

The man smiled. It did not reach his eyes. "Calm down. I only wanted to introduce myself. I was planning to meet you at the academy afterward."

Avoiding a direct answer again. He can't be trusted.

"Us or them," Mother said as she handed him the knife to gut the fish.

Yūta shot forward, slicing at the man. Cursed Spirits were pulled from the man's sleeves—a pocket dimension?—and took the brunt of the attack instead. Yūta threw his sword next, aiming for the man's heart. Once more, the stranger used summoned Cursed Spirits as meat shields and blocked the attack.

Unfortunately for the stranger, Yūta's attack did not end there. As long as Yūta was touching the conjured electricity, it would remain stable. Any time he let go, however, the dense sparks would immediately fall apart. Not in a simple, or gentle way, but in a violent and explosive manner.

A dome of lightning shot out from around Yūta threw the sword.

There was no way the man could escape completely unscathed. Unless the stranger was part seer, how could he have known that was Yūta's ability? He hadn't shared it with anyone outside of his family–Mother, Uncle Tōji, and Yūji. He had made it a point to not show off at the academy, wary of the shady society.

Yūta did not miss a beat. As soon as the lightning exploded out in a bright arch of light, he stepped into his shadow.

Kurai, his Cursed Spirit, was a winged beast that lived in the shadows. Kurai attached himself to Yūta's shadow and fed off Yūta's Cursed energy. While attached, Yūta could summon Kurai's wings to use himself for aerial movement.

And, most usefully, step into the shadows.

Shadow Step as Mother called it.

It wasn't something Yūta could do on his own, not now and not ever. Kurai had to be conscious and attached to Yūta.

When Yūta fell into his own shadow he lost all of his senses except touch. He could not see, hear, smell, nor taste. He could not even breathe in the shadows. All he could feel was Kurai's feathers around him. The two were in perfect synch from years of living so closely bound. The moment Yūta was surrounded by darkness, he knew Kurai would take charge.

Yūta readied another lightning blade. He had complete faith that Kurai would guide him.

Kurai didn't let Yūta down.

The moment Yūta could see again, Kurai threw Yūta out of the stranger's shadow from behind. Yūta jammed his blade straight into the man's torso from behind. He had aimed for the man's heart, but the stranger was somehow able to react well enough to move enough that Yūta only pierced one of his lungs.

"Us or them," Mother reminded him the first time he killed his first Cursed Spirit.

Yūta let go of his lightning blade, stepping back into the shadows as it exploded inside the man.

All of that transpired in a few seconds.

Yūta hopped out of Toge's shadow, and coolly surveyed the damage. The stranger was in the center of a small crater, twitching from the lingering shocks of electricity. The fact that the man was alive at all was… really impressive, actually.

Uncle Tōji told Yūta if anyone survived an implanted explosion, Yūta better leave and call for backup.

He's not really moving though, thought Yūta. I don't think I need to call for backup.

Toge signed, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," signed Yūta. "Do you recognize him?"

"He seems familiar," Toge responded. "I think he's wanted."

Yūta moved to squat beside the man. His eyes narrowed as he met the man's gaze. The stranger was somehow still conscious, and struggling to move. He couldn't, of course. Not many could take a collapsed lung followed by a lightning bolt literally exploding inside them. Yūta could only guess he survived due to some Cursed Technique. Or was Superman.

"Text Gojō," said Yūta. "I'll keep watch."

Toge nodded and headed out of the curtain.

Yūta summoned another lightning blade, and poised it against the man's throat.

"Move, and I'll decapitate you," said Yūta.

"Us or them," Mother hummed as she stood above the body, a smile on her face as the blood pooled at her feet.

I'll always choose us.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Bonus:

Yūji and Megumi were in the middle of an intense match in Super Smash Bros.

Yūji sneezed, a small puff of fire shot out from his nose. It disappeared in the air before it hit anything, thankfully.

Megumi's eyebrows rose. He lowered his controller to stare at Yūji with incredulous disbelief.

Yūji sniffled. "Sorry."

"Are you—are you part dragon or something?"

"I wish."

"Is sneezing fire just a fun little quirk then?"

"Mmm… something like that," said Yūji.

"You have soot on your face now."

"Damn it."

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Translations:

"Yo," said Yūji.

"Delight to meet you, third son," Lilly beamed.

Satoru snorted. "Lilly, please. You cannot adopt every child you meet."

Lilly batted her eyes, posing innocently as she sweetly asked, "Why not?"

His smile stretched into a grin. "As you wish." He slung an arm around Lilly and pulled her to his side as he addressed Yūji and Megumi. "We'll be back in a few hours. Have fun."

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Reworked chapters 2 and on, added bonus scenes for all of them. :)

Answer: Getting kidnapped by Megumi & Yūji seems like fun.

Question: Who would you want to be the apprentice of in the JJK universe?

Reviews are love!