Chapter 10

Kiyoshi ate a quick meal, oddly enough he wasn't overly hungry but knew he needed something on his stomach. After all, Sukuna hasn't stopped staring at him since he announced he would help him with his element.

When finished, he went outside without a word. Sukuna was close behind. Kiyoshi smirked as he turned. "Have you considered what I said before?" he asked.

Sukuna sneered. "You're messing with me, aren't you brat?" he demanded.

"Unlike you, I wouldn't do that." he snapped back.

Such a mouth on him… he must have picked it up from him!

"What I said is true, I can't train you until spring, and for good reason." He said. "But, what is that reason? Auntie Chusi told me that you need to figure that out, I can't tell you."

'Damn it, should have known she was in on this…' Sukuna thought. Then again, that's how he was taught by the Tooru family, hints are given, direct guidance if needed. But more often than not, you are to think for yourself and figure out the issue.

As he pondered this, Kiyoshi worked on his snow golems. He made a tiger at one point and move it with ease, even going as far as mounting it and riding the beast!

That did look like fun…

.

.

.

.

.

'What the hell am I thinking?!' Sukuna thought.

But he paused oddly as he heard a deep growl, resonating behind him.

Sukuna turned and saw a massive snow tiger staring at him!

It was large enough for him to mount.

He peered at the boy who was smiling wickedly. "Wanna race?"

"Rigged race, these creatures are made from your elemental power."

The brat smirked. "True, but still… wanna try anyways?" he teased.

This… was something new… something different he has yet to experience. A small smirk came over Sukuna as he mounted the snow golem tiger. It was strange, despite it being made of snow, it didn't melt under him, nor did the beast feel cold. He turned to the brat who smiled. "Place your hands at the side of its neck to direct it. You don't have to embed your fingertips, just open hand." He explained and demonstrate. He moved the tiger with great ease.

Sukuna gave it a try and was able to do so, it was a little rough, but he has ridden horses that have given him a more difficult challenge than this. When he established control, he made the beast run. All he did was lean forward and it rushed rather fast.

"Interesting… a child's mind is truly a sorcerer's playground."

Yet it was strange, since after all… this is something he would have done with Ryoto…

He paused oddly before peering back at the boy. Could it be… did… did Ryoto leave part of himself behind in that child? After all, his reincarnation was his vessel and his vessel had a child… souls are able to break off and become part of another, he knows that first hand!

But… was this truly what was happening?

"What do you think?"

Sukuna paused. "You have great control over these beasts, as well, the construction is solid, no doubt they will be a great battle companion. I suggest you see how long you can maintain this battle beast, while making an army."

The boy suddenly smiled. "Are you suggesting another snowball fight?"

"I don't know if I am or not at this point," he confessed, he was worried though, the events of him assisting others and yet fleeting… it's not something he is comfortable with. This should be addressed first.

"You look worried," Peering over, the brat did look concerned for him! "Want me to ask my dad?"

He sighed in defeat, Sukuna knew this was going to happen and he nodded to the boy.

The brat arrived in less than a few minutes, he was concerned but paused as he noticed that they were both on snow made tigers. Sukuna was quick to remove himself from his before regrettable asking. "I need to…"

"Dad… something is wrong with him and he is concerned about it, can you help him?" The boy asked gently and yet… did he purposely interrupt him?

The brat's eyes altered to that of a dragon, he stared Sukuna in the eyes and then peered him over before nodding. The brat reached over and placed his hand over his heart. "Kenjaku really does like to cross the T and dot the I doesn't he?"

"Should have known…"

"But the thing is, I think this is his idea of punishment for you. Despite you trying to change yourself, you can't retain good memories you made that don't involve violence. But, that's an easy fix…"

"Dad, wait, I think it's more than that…" Kiyoshi called.

Sukuna himself paused as the boy peered him over. "What do you mean?" the brat asked.

"Think about it, the last time this happened, he helped our uncles using soul manipulation, but he couldn't remember how he did it. And now, our snow war, he didn't remember that either… you haven't seen either one of those methods in action before, have you?" the boy asked.

"First time," he said bluntly. "What's the point?"

"I remember Gojo sensei say, when he faced you before… you remember every move, technique and ability used against you… your mind is like a steel trap when it comes to learning a new technique…"

"WHAT OF IT!" Sukuna roared.

"Kenjaku knew that too, right?"

Silence.

Sukuna was silent as he peered at the boy oddly.

"How on earth is this boy your brat!" he demanded of his former vessel. "He's smarter than you!"

The brat glared at him. But turned to his son. "Kiyoshi, what do you think this is doing to him?"

The boy peered him over. "I think this was another binding vow, Kenjaku covering all his bases in a sense, knowing there are slim chances that Sukuna could lose his power and yet seek another way of obtaining a jujutsu to use for his benefit later on. If Sukuna can't remember it, he can't use it, am I right?"

He was silent once more. How did this child gain such insight? That was it wasn't it, since he is right. If he sees something once, he will retain it. Becoming a curse object, he obtained that when Kenjaku turned him into one the first time before his fingers were separated. However, having experienced it, he retained it.

"Your brat is right,"

"So this binding vow has to do with your head huh? I think Suiryu would say it's beyond saving…"

"Dad!"

"Can you break it?" Sukuna asked, as he ignored the attempted mockery his former vessel tried to pull.

"Of course I can," The brat then placed his hand to his chest, from there. He saw it. Markings etched into his soul that went up to his head and surrounded his brow. "Yeah, that looks like blocking jujutsu to me with a hint of amnesia mixed in there…"

He felt a sharp pain come over his head, then… his body relaxed.

"How do you feel?"

He shrugged. "Not much different than before, still don't remember what happened the day before…"

"Want to try it again?"

He was rather… disturbed at the notion that the brats were trying to get him to play in the snow like a child… he is NO child…

"Dad, it's strange isn't it. It's like two steps forward one step back."

"What?"

"My son was saying, there are times when you are not a bad person to be around. Then, that changes the next day, you go back to your moody self and sometimes you former mindset where you are bitter and angry over everything." The brat explained. "But, Chusi assumed this would happen to, it's just being patient right, Kiyoshi?"

He nodded to that. "We don't have to do this today, but another time… after a snow storm… which is tomorrow…"

"More snow?!" the brat demanded but smiled. "You could make a city population of snow golems if that's the case."

The two of them snickered, but he found no amusement in their words. Still, he had to admit, he was impressed with how meticulous Kenjaku was.