Chapter 23

In the subspace of Yuuji Itadori's mind and soul.

It was a lush paradise of sorts, a great change of pace from what was a bone riddled throne room. However curiosity got the better of her, as a servant to the gods and spirits, Kitsune was always busy. However her task has always been to take care of the matters directed to the great being she was assigned to.

She came into the subspace rather easily, it also helps that the boy has grown to trust her in a sense, and has come to think of her as a figment of his imagination. She looked about the lush green land, only to be drawn to the only tree within it.

A massive cherry blossom tree in full bloom. She paused to admire it. "You share the same tastes as the boy, don't you?" she asked to the tree.

Within there was a cave of sorts, and a glowing blue eyes stared out at her. "What's wrong? Are you not going to join me out here?" she asked teasingly.

In a flash, she became a human, but wore a red kimono with white sashes. She tried to peer into the tree to see for herself, but got a growl in return. "Jeeze, you are such a grump when you haven't taken form!" she muttered. "You have resided in his child for nearly a week and still can't figure out what to become?"

Another low resonating growl came from the tree, shaking its blossoms and letting it snow petals around her. Her arms crossed. "I know this is for the benefit of all, but still. I have doubts about this human, let alone one that was the vessel to Sukuna… Why did that Tooru human want him to take you in? Even if you had died, you would just be reborn again. Still, you and that human held on for dear life for this child…"

There came a soft look from the eye within the tree, she sighed once more and nodded. "Yes, he is doing that, he's eating well. I make certain he is getting enough energy, and much to my surprise is his adaptability. It would have taken a Tooru a month to process a fraction of that curse energy he consumed. He's on his feet and running by nightfall the very same day!" she proclaimed. But then paused. "Ah, so perhaps he needs more?"

There came concerning sounds from the beast in the tree. She appeared rather surprised. "Test him? Are you certain?" she asked.

The eye went up and down in a nodding notion.

"Very well then, what do we test on him? If you wish for him to grow, he needs a lot more power, does he not?" she asked. "I know where some curse spirits are that need to be eliminated… simple and easy for him to consume…" Yet she paused once more. "Do you wish to see what he would chose if given the option?"

Another nod came.

"Very well then, I will test him tonight and see… would he be strong enough to do it?" she asked.

A chuckle came from the hollow of the tree. "Oh fine then, I will see for myself!"

She vanished in a breeze of cherry blossoms, the beast on the other hand began to bore a smile of its own.

"Soon…" it simply said.

#

The day took its toll on Yuuji.

He hit the bed the moment he got a chance, he was able to stand on his own two feet now and walk about without issue, but it took the whole day for him to accomplish it! "I wore out my uniform…" he muttered as it was now full of holes and covered in dirt. He looked to his arms and found the markings were coming back slightly. "Shit, seriously!" he demanded.

But he would worry about that tomorrow. In the mean time, he wanted to close his eyes and sleep for the next three days.

That wouldn't be happening, not even for tonight.

Yuuji fell into what he believes to be a deep sleep.

But then, he heard the bells once more.

His dreams began to become far more vivid as he dreamt being outside one of the medical areas of the institution. He stood before it, his body numb to it all as he heard a familiar voice once more.

"You seem hungry… you worked hard today…" the voice cooed.

He lazily turned and saw a lavishing woman in a red kimono with long black hair. "Who… are you?" he asked in a dazed tone.

She giggled gently to him. "You can call me Kitsune," she said and smiled.

"Kitsune?" he muttered. "Kitsune…." He said and became entranced by the name.

"Now then, young one, we need to get you fed don't we? I know where there is plenty of curse spirits to feed from…" she said offhandedly.

But his eyes were set on the medical lab. "But. There's curse energy in there too…" he said and pointed. "I can smell it… but… I also hear people calling for help… they didn't do that before… they told me to kill them, not help them…" he said.

She came around to face him. "Of course you could go in and see for yourself if you desire to, but you may not get what you need to feel full…" she said.

"I don't care…" he muttered. "If I can help them, I want to help…" he began walking forward, he phased through the doors and entered the lab.

They were everywhere.

Humans who had been turned into cursed transfigured beings by special grade curses. They were constantly screaming and begging for death, when Yuuji turned to the first cage he saw.

A biped like monster with an engorged body and melting face. It was screaming aloud and running like a madman, trying to get out of the cage. Yet it appeared to have noticed Yuuji standing before it.

He walked through the bars effortlessly as the creature screamed and nearly attacked, but his hand went out to get gently. "Help you?" he whispered to it. "May I try and help you?"

It almost settled itself, yet still appeared skittish. It approached with caution until Yuuji grabbed it and pulled the beast into his arms. He couldn't feel what he was doing, but he felt something resonate in his very being. He saw something, a curse that was trying to absorb someone into itself.

He stood before this odd battle, before reaching in and tearing the two apart from each other. He glared at the cursed spirit before devouring it. In his other hand was that of a small child, trembling and crying aloud for his mother.

Yuuji placed him down gently, the boy looked about and saw the monster was gone. "You... you killed it?" he asked.

"Yeah, it won't bother you anymore," Yuuji said gently.

Badum!

His heart began to resonate once more through his body, he snapped back into reality, yet still in his dazed state. Looking down, he saw a small boy in his arms in place of the monster.

All the others in their cells suddenly calmed down slightly, he went to each and every one of them, separating the curse from the body and soul and devouring the energy that turned them.

Kitsune would watch on with utter fascination. When he finished for the night, he looked full but could barely keep his eyes open.

She would wave her fan as he somehow fell forward but on to his own bed for the rest of the night.

She would appear in his room the moment he returned to his dorm. "Good thing my power works on you, boy. It won't be long now…" she said and vanished.