Chapter 1

It was a devastating thing to go through.

The strangest part though was… part of him nearly didn't care. Junpei had been struggling with what transpired between them and Kusozu. The fact that he killed so many people on a whim, merely to get to him… and yet…

He shook his head of it.

It was being part curse isn't it? Despite the fact that lives were lost, a part of him didn't really care or was bothered by it. How could he? He didn't know ANY of those people who were killed, some even died by their own stupidity, refusing to make a run for it when they had the chance. Others were crushed from fallen debris because they wanted to record everything that was happening. All to get that first like, or to be trending on Tic Toc.

Yet, the loss of life was great. D'angelo insisted he will take care of everything, the lawsuits, the funerals for those who died, he would handle it all.

Thank the gods for that. Junpei didn't think he and the brothers would be able to many any of that.

He was able to recover from it all, yet as the news spread, he was grateful that no one within the domain said anything about it… well…

"So, what the hell happened here?"

He froze as Satoru Gojo came to him and the brothers, showing off the videos that managed to make their way online. Junpei froze as he saw what happened for the first time. He freely admits that the event was a blank in his mind, he doesn't know how he got out of there, let alone how he held off Kusozu. Yet the moment he saw the video, he froze. He… was turning into that… Kechizu, he was turning into Kechizu… but…

"Uh… we didn't want to startle Suiryu…" Eso explained gently. "This is the older brother we learned about, however he isn't one we want in our family."

"Ah, so this is the infamous Kusozu!" Gojo sensei said aloud. "Yeah, I think I ran into this asshole once or twice… he ran from me, and yet we still somehow ended up meeting every so often… It's also his residual energy I can see on you guys as well… so… wanna tell me what's going on?" he asked with a playful grin.

There was little choice in the matter now. Choso opted to explain the situation at hand, the older brother is seeking to increase his power. He is able to absorb the brothers and take their technique and strengthen his own. However, he hit a roadblock.

Instantly, Gojo sensei pointed to Junpei. "No doubt your handy work!" he said rather proudly. "Figures as much, you're still brothers to them in a way, but not. Brother from a different mother…"

Junpei paused, that was it too, wasn't it? He may have some of the brother's genetics in him, however, the fact remains, and he doesn't have the same mother as they did. Is that what protected him?

Even in death, his mother somehow finds a way to keep him safe.

"Please, don't tell Suiryu," Junpei pleaded.

"Nah, he has too much to deal with himself. Quite frankly, I think he's going to need to have a nice sit down with me and shoot the shit on stuff… I won't say a word, don't worry." He promised. "For now, you guys are going to stay hunkered down?"

They all nodded. "I think I am going to need to up my training… Gojo sensei… would it be rude of me to ask…" Junpei began to say.

However his teacher smirked. "It's about time you and I had a spar session. Suiryu had hogged you long enough, I want a turn!" he protested but nodded. "You let me know when, okay?"

"Thank you," he said graciously.

With Satoru being informed, the brothers all sighed with some relief. "I think it's best we not go anywhere for a while. We will remain within the region of the domain." Choso said aloud.

"We can keep busy here, no problem." Said Sho.

"If need me, I can go out. He still can't absorb me,"

"With caution mind you," warned Choso. "But that is fine as well."

"I think I am going to go unpack my room… we've been so preoccupied that I haven't had time to do any of that!" Junpei said and laughed. Also, he hasn't really seen the house Suiryu had built for them. Sure, he's gone in and went right to his room, but never took the time to appreciate it.

With that said, he excused himself from the brothers and went to his room.

Everything from the school was here, thanks to Tanso's familiars. He began to unpack but found various things along the way. Some trinkets from their first place where the old school use to be, to items from his first concert. He began to reflect on it all. Although he is part curse now, Junpei couldn't help but marvel how everything came to be. How he came back and became one of nine brothers… or how he and Yuuji became reunited and were able to still be friends.

But it hasn't always been this easy, not for him, nor the brothers!

Taking a seat at the edge of his bed, he peered about the room, for now, the walls are empty, but soon, he will put up his posters, photos and even a few figures he has started to collect.

He never knew having a cursed life… could be an okay one…