Chapter 3

Back at the dining hall.

Megumi paused as his five siblings suddenly perked and peered in one direction with interest. "Something going on?" he asked.

"Don't know yet…" T1 said in an uncertain tone. "Something has happened but…" he was worried, but then, he appeared relieved. "Oh thank goodness…"

"What?" Megumi asked again.

The five were suddenly smiling. The sisters were practically dancing in their seats! He didn't understand this the least bit! Not to mention why they are acting all excited.

He really doesn't understand this at all.

"Brother, what would happen if the family became a dragon family?" asked T3 only to get a sharp elbow to his sides by his sisters.

He was utterly confused. "What do you mean by that? Dad isn't going to be a dragon, and if he is, he is still going to be a broke one…"

They snickered to that. "It's nothing, sometimes T3 just spouts nonsense" T2 explained.

It appears to sound more than just utter nonsense to him.

Megumi finished up his meal. Just as he ventured out of the dining hall, he came across Chusi Tooru. "Megumi… do you have a moment?" she asked.

He nodded to her, although she has been around, he has purposely avoided Chusi, since she is usually around Sukuna.

"Don't worry, Ryomen went to check on Kiyoshi. Come, I would like to speak with you."

They walked out of the domain and took one of the many trails outside the mountain. She said not a word until they were a good distance away. Suddenly, she stopped, cut him off and then… lowered her head!

"Megumi Fushiguro, please, let me apologize on behalf of Ryomen for what happened to your sister. Tsumiki."

He froze to this, and yet, be was still bitter about it. "I don't need you to apologize for his actions. He needs to apologize and pay for what he did!"

Chusi nodded. "I know this won't make a difference, but… when one becomes possessed like her, it's nearly impossible to break free from being a vessel."

He paused. "Nearly?" he asked.

"Unless one has my ability, and no, Ryomen didn't gain it even after he ate me. Since I was pregnant and lost by curse technique because of that."

That… he didn't want to know.

"Why are you apologizing to me? What for? My sister is gone and the only way I would EVER give someone like Sukuna the time of day is if she is brought back… HE USED ME!"

Megumi, suddenly erupted in emotion. Telling her he fought Sukuna for control of his body and yet he couldn't even suppress him once when it happened. "Because I wasn't strong enough, my sister died, she died because HE took over my body and KILLED her with my technique!"

Chusi nodded to him. "I know," she said gently. "At the same time, had you taken over and not fought her, she would have killed you instantly."

"So? She… she was the only person to have been there for me… she raised me in place of a mother… even father…"

"Oh good, I am glad you didn't say Gojo filled that void nicely…"

"After seeing my dad in person it's a toss up between them…" he muttered. He shook his head to it all and yet, he couldn't help but stare at her with disbelief. "Why… why would you want to be with someone who has done such horrible things to others… you turn a blind eye to it all because you love him?!" he demanded.

Chusi sighed. "I am not turning a blind eye to it." She explained gently. "Megumi, I know it's hard to imagine my reasons. At the same time, whatever I say, will never be a good enough answer for you since you had the most important person in your life taken away. You have been used and suffered because of him and you continue to do so to this day. So have I."

He froze.

"What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath and said. "The Ryomen Sukuna I loved… won't ever return to me… not as he once was, not like what he was before he took Kenjaku's binding vow. I will NEVER have that man back, the best thing I can do right now is merely pick up the pieces that remain of him and try to put him back as best as I can. But like you, I've lost him. But, there is a difference, and it's not fair to you since I physically have him back. Let me say this though, if there is an opportunity to bring your sister back. I will do everything in my power to do so."

He forced a laugh. "How?!" he demanded. "How could you possibly say such a thing? Sukuna said the same thing to me, his words mean nothing."

"Because, I know how the soul works, at the same time, sorcerer souls are a lot different than those of humans, give it time, and I assure you. I promise you… I will make amends with your family and I hope you may give Ryomen a chance."

"I doubt that," he said bluntly. "I cannot forgive him for what he has done to me, to Yuuji… to those we care about… because of him… this whole mess…"

"Ryomen does not shoulder all the responsibility here, remember, he was used like a piece as well in this. Kenjaku is also the one who used your sister to farther his plans, Ryomen cannot take all the blame."

He wanted to argue that, but she was right. He can't blame him for everything that has happened.

"Megumi, you have a kind heart, and a soul that not many sorcerers have. Despite coming from the three great families, did you know that they have a scar on their soul to me for what they did to my clan?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"I must have that then,"

"You don't,"

Megumi paused oddly as she approached him, her hand gently came over the left side of his chest. "You were never raised in that clan, despite being raised by Gojo. At the same time, you have processed and learned to think for yourself. You never looked down on Maki who bore no curse energy or technique, and yet held her in high regards. She too doesn't bare the mark on her soul, and as ironic as it is, your father's mark is on the outside of his body…" she said and tapped the side of her lip.

He does have a scar there… and yet why mention this?

"I think you need to step back a little, you have put too much pressure on yourself, at the same time, I feel your soul is greatly burdened with what has happened in the past. You have yet to let it go, as well, you have yet to forgive yourself. You bare so much responsibility on yourself like Yuuji, thinking everything has to be done by you and you alone. But, you are not alone, are you?"

He was silent to her.

Megumi sighed and nodded in agreement. "You're right, at the same time… I don't know how. I have had so much change for me in such little time… sometimes I don't know which way is up."

"Then I think you need to figure out that first." She stepped back and smiled to him. "If I ever had a daughter who was you age, I would have been convincing her to marry you yesterday," she laughed.

"What…"

"You are a fine young man, and I am not merely speaking about you as a sorcerer. You are balanced to me, and yet at the same time, you need someone to bridge your horizons. You don't quite see a path for yourself, you are merely reserved to a life of a sorcerer… but who defined that? The council may expect you to put your life on the line for the sake of others. However, in my clan, you are expected to help others, but you are also expected to be home by dinner doing so!"

He smiled a little to that. To him, it meant that the Toorus wouldn't blindly throw you into a battle that may not be an equal bout. They make certain that you can face the threat and be home in one piece.

"Thank you for speaking with me… but please…"

"I wouldn't dare push you to forgive him, I wouldn't give him such a thing so easily either. Despite how I appear with Ryomen, understand that he is in a situation that doesn't favor him. For he is aware of what I can do… and he has no means of stopping me."

Megumi felt a chill go through him. She meant every word…