Chapter 7

"Still nothing huh?" Fushiguro asked.

Yuuji shook his head. "Perhaps I am not trying hard enough…"

"That and you know the moment it's found, you're going to die," muttered Nobara.

"Maybe that too… But still, if I am going to die I am taking the bastard with me!"

"That's the spirit!" Gojo shouted as he entered the dorm.

His students jumped. Half the time they don't even see him coming! "Damn it sensei…" muttered Fushiguro.

"Anyway, since we don't have anything to do, I say we go out and have some fun today huh? We are going to pick up an old friend of mine, she's VERY interested in seeing you, Itadori!"

"Eh?" he asked with a blank stare on his face. "Me? Don't usually shamans that I run into want to kill me first before getting to know me?"

"I'm curious to that too, it's like naming a dog, getting to know it and then putting it down…"

"You are just a ray of sunshine aren't you Nobara!" Gojo laughed. "Actually, my friend is curious to see him up close. She wants to meet this strong demon vessel boy first hand! So, she came all this way to see you. So, let's go!" he announced.

There was no point in saying no. However Yuuji was up for a trip out of the institution. He's not allowed to leave there alone anyways, so any chance to go out, he takes with great enthusiasm.

#

They made their way to downtown Tokyo.

Gojo paused before a train station when the passengers were starting to step off. He waited and peered through the crowd before something caught his attention. "There she is!" he called and waved his arms a little frantically. "OVER HERE!"

The three paused as a young woman appeared before them, her head kept low as a hood covered most of her face, you could see her eyes, nose and mouth but nothing more. "Gang, this is my friend Yua Tooru!" he explained.

She was rather short, and stayed silent for the most part, but her eyes bore into Yuuji. She suddenly approached him oddly, staring deep into his face as he was slightly startled by her up close inspection of him. "Hmmm," she said as she continued to look him over. She grew bold enough to touch his face and tried to pull down the other set of eyes that remained close… unless Sukuna was in control. "He's the strongest demonic vessel I have ever seen…" she said plainly. "Such a shame…"

"Uh… hi,"

"Ah so you now know Yuuji Itadori!" Gojo said. "Allow me to introduce…"

"I don't care about the other two," Yua said rather coldly. "I am more interested in the one who controls such a terrible force with such ease for the time being…"

"Rude…" muttered Nobara.

"Speak kindly to your elders, girl, or they will beat you with experience" Yua warned.

The two others appeared niffed, but Yua appeared to have cared less. "Now then, Yua, since you are here we are going to have a day of fun, care to join us?"

She nodded. "I will, to observe the vessel." She said.

"But I'm Yuuji…" Itadori said gently.

"To me, you are nothing more than a vessel, until I have seen otherwise."

He shivered to her tone, like ice water going down his back. Yuuji smiled it off and announced that they should just have fun today.

Although his two friends seem to bare the look like the task would simply be impossible with this woman tagging along.

#

Gojo appeared to have indulged Itadori all day. The kid was hopped up on sugar and treats as they went into the city for some sweets and exploration. As the students wondered ahead, Gojo turned to Yua who was slowly sipping away at a protein shake. "Could you at least speak kinder to them?" he asked of her. "I got to admit that's a hell of a front you are putting up"

She coughed a little, only to take a handkerchief from her pocket to cough into. Gojo paused to the specks of blood that were stained on it, but said nothing as she tucked it away once more. "It's to be certain that he still acts the way he does even if he is treated poorly." She said. "So far, he is doing well. I have never seen or sensed one with such strength like his before."

"All the more reason to help him?" Gojo asked.

"To be determined," she muttered and went back to her drink. "But so far, he is checking all the right boxes in my mind."

The smile on his face grew. "Oh? What happens if he checks them all?" he asked.

She paused for a moment to consider her words. "Well, if he does, you and I have something more to discuss." She said.

"SENSEI! THEY GOT HAND MADE MOCCHI!" shouted Itadori.

"Ooo I like those, want one?"

She shook her head. "I haven't eaten solid food in years." She muttered. "I can't bring myself to, let alone keep it down."

"Oh, right, sorry I asked."

"Force of habit of yours, you want everyone included." She muttered and went back to her drink.

Gojo was keeping a close eye on Yua and Yuuji that day. She wasn't far from him as she kept a close observation. She appeared more curious than anything else, but of course, his student was just happy go lucky to begin with. They went to arcades, snack stores and even tried to rent a few movies. But soon, it was time for work. "Oh, got to hold off on the movies, we just got word!" Gojo called as he held up his phone. "Serious one too, a curse a few miles away, just outside of an old warehouse near a grade school."

Itadori paused. "Kids could get hurt or killed… Let's go!" he said without hesitation.

"Huh, I never thought a demon vessel would want to risk his life for others…" Yua said offhandedly.

Itadori glared at her. "Just because I am called that, doesn't mean I am on their side!" he protested. "Look, I know you probably hate me like everyone else. I don't give a damn, I am going to save people as long as I live!"

She froze to his passionate words, Gojo could tell they resonated in her. She said nothing more but nodded in agreement to go and exorcise the curse. As Itadori ran off ahead to get to the warehouse, she turned to Gojo whose smile has since grown. "Told you, didn't I?" he asked.

She nodded. "But I am not the one to judge, remember that," she warned.

#

They made it to the warehouse. Yua asked for everyone to remain outside but Yuuji. "You can handle this alone right, vessel?" she asked of him.

He nodded his head confidently. "I'll show you that I am here to save people!" he said proudly.

"Very well, I'll observe you. Everyone remain out here, do not interfere." She demanded.

"Since when do you give commands?" muttered Nobara.

Sensei Gojo was quick to speak up. "I suggest you listen to her, it doesn't end well for those who don't. Personal experience talking." He explained.

With that, she followed Yuuji into the warehouse.

The demonic energy within was quite stuffy to say the least, but her focus shifted to Itadori. He appeared to be focus and listened to the world around him. "What is the extent of your abilities?" she asked aloud. "What are you able to do?"

The boy smiled to her. "I rather show than tell if that's okay with you. Not to mention, we don't know what's in here yet. Like I am going to say what I can do aloud before getting into a fight."

She appeared impressed. Most juniors would jump at the chance to brag. She has met many who did so in battle, but were killed for their arrogance. But there was a look in his face, one that those before him had before they wished to brag of their abilities.

He's eager to show off.

She smirked a little as they went in deeper to the warehouse. "I hear children come here to prove their courage, no doubt the curses here are feeding off the fear of children. There's plenty of it." She muttered.

"Probably…" The boy suddenly stopped. He turned to his left very suddenly when he hit something hard and fast! Yua turned and found he struck the curse they were hunting, but it wasn't the only one either. Another was taking aim at her.

Reaching into her jacket, she pulled out a shining white dagger. One slice across the creature and it was severed in two!

She turned and found Yuuji had pummeled the other one to death with merely his fists and hardly any curse energy!

An impressive feat to say the least… but first thing is first…

Yua needed her fill.

Dragging her finger across the blade, she cleaned the blood off the dagger… and suckled her finger of it.

The vile taste filled her mouth but she had to do this.

With a quick swallow she hid her weapon away as Yuuji turned and gave her the thumbs up. "We're done here!" he said proudly.

"You never used any of his power…" she said offhandedly.

He cleared the gore from his hands and shook his head. "If I let him out, he would kill you without hesitation. I won't let that happen, besides. I can handle things on my own okay." He said proudly. "But… the times I do have to let him out… It's not pleasant. Since I never know what he will do… what he would use my body for…" he said and clenched his hands angrily.

She nodded to him. "Such a burden on one so young…" she said offhandedly. "I don't envy you,"

"Not a lot of people do…" he said and laughed. "I mean who would want this?"

She smiled warmly to him for the first time. "We're done, let's go." She announced.