Chapter 44
There was plenty of drinks, food and excitement.
In fact, everyone appeared to be having a great time… at Sukuna's wedding no less. Toshi was smiling from ear to ear to it all as the children even had a grand time!
"I wish we had something like that…" Syrax sighed.
"Oh? We probably could do something if you want to." He said offhandedly.
She laughed it off of course, dragons don't have any sort of tradition when it comes to marriage, at least not in the heavenly realm. "No it's okay. Knowing you are mine is good enough," she decreed.
As everyone ate to their heart's content. Toshi felt strange. He turned to Sukuna who was enjoying the meal and yet, he didn't appear to be enjoying the moment. "Excuse me for a second." He approached him, Toshi merely smiled before he nudged his head towards the outer structure.
Sukuna excused himself as well as the two left. They said nothing until they felt comfortable at a distance. "I figured you would notice, Chusi does too but isn't prying into it." He muttered.
"You are enjoying the food and not the moment," Toshi said bluntly. "Why are you more focused on the food than the fact that you have just married the first woman you had fallen in love with?"
He was reluctantly, yet, reaching into his robe he took out a paper. Toshi saw Sukuna's name written on it but didn't dare to open the note. "What is written here is personal, I refuse to read it."
"It's the note itself… from Mother Tooru" he said reluctantly. "She… told me how proud she was that I was going to be part of her clan, she couldn't wait for me to join them and to be part of the family… telling me that being part of the clan means you protect them, their hopes and dreams as they would do the same to you… I killed them… I destroyed it with my own hands and yet… I just became part of it?" he asked in confusion.
"Not yet, you heard Yua." Toshi explained. "She has acknowledged you as Chusi's husband, but she has yet to accept you into her clan, that's two different things."
He merely nodded to him. Yet, he still appeared worried and confused by it all. "What has happened to me?" Sukuna asked out of the blue. "I am conflicted that I don't even know who I am anymore."
Toshi smiled. "Perhaps it's a good thing you and I are linked like this. I know how you feel to an extent." He said.
"I suppose you do, but not to my extreme."
"I agree with that,"
The two fell silent.
They said nothing for what felt like hours, until Sukuna forced a laugh. "Ah… To think that my moments of insanity had passed…" he said offhandedly. "Did you honestly think that in a thousand years, someone like me would be tied down?"
"Never," Toshi said honestly. "In fact, you were the kind who would have enough power to have concubines brought to you day in and out just to satisfy you."
Sukuna froze as he peered at Toshi with a rather disgusted look. "Do I look like the kind?!" he demanded.
He laughed back and shook his head. "No, but my family did that." he said bluntly. "Those who have the 'greatest power' within the clan, believe it is their right as well as God mission to breed and ensure their power is carried on in the next generation by their genes. They breed to ensure that power remains IN the family at any and all costs… No matter who gains such power… if they are to inherit it, they need to be part of the main branch, and not just some luck of the draw bastard."
"Deep" came out of Sukuna. He forced a small smile. "Although, what you say is true. I had women who were crazy enough in my madness to approach and attempt to pursuit me… Chusi… never saw me for my power… she saw me… as a man."
"A man she gladly treats as her king… as long as she is treated as his queen."
He snorted a laugh. "That's rather cheesy of you."
"You're the one who brought it up."
"Fair…"
He paused for a moment longer. "I am doing the right thing… am I?"
Toshi snickered. "You have always been confident in your choices, why second guess yourself now? Besides, Chusi wouldn't have moved on from you, she was determined that you become her husband no matter what… which now has me concerned for Suguru sensei…"
"Beyond you, leave him be and let him accept his fate."
"Still, have you wondered why Chusi switched you with Gojo sensei?"
"I don't try and figure out Tooru women, for if they learn that you're trying to do so, they flip the script." He laughed. "We better head back… thanks for this."
Toshi nodded to him.
#
Back at the celebration..
Gojo sat at the table, drinking of all things. Never really though alcohol would taste this good but, here we are.
He sighed aloud as he watched everyone have a good time, but, he felt as if he couldn't be part of it. "Why do you look so miserable?"
She lingered at the table. Chusi smiled warmly to him as Gojo tried to ignore her.
"Oh come on! Say something, you are my brother in law now"
"What's the lesson?" he muttered. "Why am I like this? Why haven't you turned me back yet? What's the point of all this!" he demanded.
Chusi snickered to him, before breaking out into a fit of laughter. "It was partly to punish you!" she said. "But not completely. Besides, you have a better understanding of Ryomen's situation right? How he's trapped in the domain unless he has a mask? It's not pleasant isn't it? As well, you take for granted how you can come and go as you please. Have you at least tried to see the positive of all of this?"
"I can burp loud enough to cause an earthquake?"
She glared at him. "What have YOU learned from all this? You have to have learned something…"
He sighed reluctantly.
"I learned that I was training Shin wrong. Forcing my method on him the way I have was no way for him to learn or understand his power. I better understand my son. At the same time I have trained with Rook and understand that he has made his own six eyes ability as well, but, he removes his sight to heighten his sense to their peek. I've been helping him hone in on that, he's gotten remarkably good! In fact, he knows if I am using red or blue on him since he can sense the push and pull of curse energy blindfolded! But… I have to help Mochi somehow…"
"You're finally paying attention to your children. And now, you have another on the way…"
"Yes… are you still forcing a second husband?" he asked bluntly.
She smiled wickedly.
"Of course you are…"
"Satoru, it may seem disrespectful to you that I want my sister to have another man in her life. But you need to know that I can see where one lacks in a relationship. I can see the souls of others, who are compatible, who isn't. You and my sister have some compatibility, however, it's far stronger with Suguru. You fill Yua's needs in areas that he cannot. At the same time, he offers the same. I know Kenjaku is going to be after her life, I want to be certain she is very protected… for without her, none of this would have been possible."
She has a point.
Even as this, Gojo has seen all Yua does. Not just taking care of their children, but everyone here, the students and teachers alike.
"Can we turn back soon?" he asked.
"We get our honeymoon first, then yes… Oh, that's right. You and Yua are coming with us!"
He paused oddly. "What?"
"You're coming with us, Lady Tiamat already made the arrangement. We're going to Furong Ancient town in China! We're double dating since apparently… you never took Yua on a honeymoon" she decreed.
That… was true.
He sighed but agreed.
As Chusi left, she turned and smiled to Satoru. "Consider yourself lucky, Satoru Gojo," she said gently. "You may not be the strongest, but you have become part of the strongest clan in jujutsu society."
When she left, Satoru sat there… dumbfounded.
She's right too, isn't she!?
"I need another drink." He said with a defeated sigh…
