A/N: Early update it is...although this second chapter didn't get a lot of support. T_T
That's a shame, and here I thought folks would enjoy it.
It goes without saying, but spoilers for the events of Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory ahead.
If this story gets a ton of feedback-hopefully!-then I'll do my best to ensure an early update again! Looking forward to your feedback!
Meaning! We're still dealing with a pre-awakened Gojo at this point -guy was still absurdly broken, even as a teenager!- and of course Toji is kicking about, doing what he does best. Naturally, that means Amanai and Koroi -what a badass maid- are still alive, Shoko is Shoko, and Geto hasn't had his breakdown just yet.
So here we are. I nearly retired with all that glitch nonsense going on with the site, but I'm still here, and still writing...for now.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this little ficlet remains a story. Simple as that.
TFS Alucard vibes are real and intentional. I own nothing~!
Had to make a name for Megumi's mother, since we never get anything other than her surname.
"Life is like a pond, when you think about it.
People...well, I guess you could say they're like pebbles.
Speak a few kind words, go for a Walk, catch a bullet, save a life...
...and you'd be utterly amazed at all the ripples you create along the way.
But enough about me; I didn't come all this way just to ramble at you. Tell me, how's your son...
~?
Whims of a Monster
...Toji?"
Fushiguro looked up from his seat with a rueful sigh.
"What kid?" He waved the ticket in his hand and looked down the stands to the racing boats below. "Can't you let a man gamble in peace?"
Peace. Ha! Yeah right. The words rang hollow even as he said them. The being before him -he hesitated to call this thing human on a good day- didn't know the meaning of the word. He lived by his whims and little else; a moral code few could comprehend, one that let him do as he pleased, when he pleased, how he pleased.
...eccentric. That was one way to describe him.
If there was a god of fashion somewhere out there, they'd taken one look at Naruto Uzumaki and promptly given up. He was wearing that deep blue trench coat of his as always; paired with a white shirt and a black vest over which he'd thrown an even uglier orange tie. His pants were no exception; today he'd chosen a ghastly mix of bright orange blended with red so bright it threatened to give him a migraine. Such an eyesore. Why he wore the getup in the first place baffled him.
"Gonna play dumb?" the man flung himself down into the seat opposite him with a laugh and crossed one leg over another. "That's fine. How's your wife?"
A muscle jumped in Toji's jaw. "Leave her out of this."
"C'mon, don't be like that. I saved her life."
He had. Megumi's mother still lived because of him. It was the only reason they weren't duking it out in Shibuya right now. He owed this guy, yet he hated him. Truth be told, Naruto was probably the closest thing he had to a friend these days, but he also wanted to kill him. The duality of it all wasn't lost on him. They could never truly be friends, but they weren't enemies either. What did that make them, then? Rivals? Frienemies? What a useless word. The man before him...he didn't even know if he was a man anymore. Not a cursed spirit, but not human, either.
What was the old saying?
It was right on the tip of his tongue. Duck about and find out?
No, no, no he was certain that wasn't it. Maybe swap the "D" in duck with an "F"? Ah, there it was.
Outwardly, he didn't let any of his tension show, even as he looked his way. "I hear you went for a walk.
Naruto hummed a little. "And I heard you're going to kill the Star Plasma Vessel, Riko Amanai. Did you know she's my niece?"
Toji's blood turned to ice.
"I knew her parents rather well, you see." Naruto was still smiling, his expression utterly unchanged as he gazed down at the waters and the racing vessels below. "They were good people. Good to me, too. Shame what happened to them, don't you think?"
The Sorcerer Killer shrugged one shoulder. "...I wouldn't know anything about that."
"Hmhmhmm." he hummed his agreement. "I know ya don't. You know, I always suspected the Time Vessel Association had a hand in their deaths, but I couldn't prove anything at the time, so I asked Kuroi to keep a close eye on her. Just in case." he made a pinching motion with his fingers. "And now they've hired you to finish what they started so long ago. They're persistent little cockroaches, I'll give you that." The laughter that followed held no edge at all, as though they were discussing something as banal as the weather. "Maybe I should pay them a visit, once this mess is over."
Something's off.
Toji's instincts blared a warning.
Something's off.
Naruto tilted his head at him and smiled.
Something's off.
His grin grew just so, curling into the hint of a sneer.
"But enough about the past. Lets talk about the future!" The blond bastard grinned and clapped his hands, bringing him back to the present moment. "You're right; I did go on a very enthusiastic walk last night. Look what I found~!"
He burst to his feet and swept an arm back.
Toji followed the motion with one eye, wondering what he was getting at. "...?!"
There was a pretty blond woman stood behind them, clad in a brown and red uniform he didn't recognize. Huh. Quite the rack. She knew it too -her outfit only made it worse- and squirmed under his gaze. None of that bothered Toji. No, he found himself preoccupied with a far more alarming concern. He hadn't even sensed her. As if she had no presence at all. Stranger still, her eyes were a piercing shade of bloody red, and yet no one around them even seemed to notice it.
Aha.
The girl wasn't human, either.
Naruto smiled. "Toji, meet Seras Victoria. I suppose you could say she's my...assistant?
She looked him in the eye, squeaked once, and bowed her head. "Hullo, sir...
Toji frowned. "She has an accent."
"She's from abroad. England, I think."
His brow furrowed yet further. "You didn't have her a week ago."
"What can I say?" Naruto's grin grew further still, fangs flashing in the light. "She was a recent hire." a hand waved. "Go get yourself a drink, police girl. We'll be a bit."
Sera didn't need to be told twice; she scarpered.
Naruto sank back into his seat with a pleased sigh. "Good girl. Has potential. Might get her a canon.
Toji scoffed. Sounded like something he would do. "And yet you made her like you."
"I did." he replied readily. "It was that or let her die. I've always been a softie."
"Is that why you came to threaten me? Because you've gone soft?"
"Oh, no, no, no." Naruto's grin practically split his face. "If I was going to threaten you, I'd kidnap your family...
Every fiber of Toji's being tensed as he imagined it. Had he a weapon to hand, he would've driven it through the blond's skull. But he didn't. Not at the moment. He could only glare.
...but I haven't done that." a long finger rose and flicked his forehead. "There are some lines even I won't cross. You should be grateful for that.
"Then why the hell are you here?"
"To give you a little lesson before the games begin. Y'see, I love humanity. Really, I do." He held up a hand, letting wind dance across his fingertips. "As a species, the human race has created some truly astounding things, creations I'd never even dream of. But sometimes I look at you people, and I see...monkeys." the smile, ever present until this moment, finally faded. "So many of them shriek and scream and shout, all the while throwing their own shit at one another. Jujutsu Sorcerors aren't much better. So few of you, any of you, truly value your lives. Its a wonderful thing to live a life, a good life, a full life...
Toji sighed at that, not liking the sudden twist in their conversation. "A life is a life. Most folks only get the one."
"On that we agree!" Naruto reached over and gave his shoulder a brisk pat, all but clapping him on the back. "I'm so glad you understand. Megumi could stand to learn a thing or two from you. Its my belief that everyone deserves two chances in life. They're born with one. They're offered another when they screw up. However," without warning he squeezed, fingers biting deep into his collarbone. "There are no third chances." Those horrid red eyes seared into his soul for a long moment, his lazy face unusually stern. "You have a fine son; don't let him grow up without a father. Take it from someone who did. That's not a life you want for him."
He clicked his tongue and looked away. "Damn monster."
"Bloody superhuman." came the immediate retort."I mean it, Toji." his old adversary let him go, but the scathing glare remained. "I like you. You're fun to fight, and I enjoy drinkin' with ya. So take those winnings from gambling and enjoy it. Get your wife and son something nice. Take this job though...and we're going to have a problem. You might not get out alive. You might surprise Gojo and Geto, sage knows they've never been humbled before. I have, which is why won't surprise me. Hear that? That's a threat.
The wind picked up suddenly, forcing Toji to shield his face.
When he looked back, Naruto and his so-called "police girl" where nowhere to be found. Not a trace of them remained.
Wait. He'd said winnings earlier. How did he know he'd win? Had he anticipated the outcome...?
A horn sounded as the boat he was betting on crossed the finish line...in first place.
Toji looked down at his now-winning ticket and sighed. "Damnit...
(.0.0.0.)
Something stirred in the darkness.
Eyes opened in the bleak gloom.
A faint flicker of memory.
"...Its finally starting."
So many emotions.
Excitement.
Relief.
Joy!
FUN.
(.0.0.0._
"Tell me you did not Turn that girl."
"Alright." Naruto clasped both hands behind his head and offered a beatific smile as he sprawled in the sun. "I didn't turn that girl, Iori."
Her foot began to tap beside his skull. "Na~ru~to~!"
"Yeeesss~?"
A stern finger dug down into his skull, seeking brain matter. He creaked an eye open and grinned up at its owner from where he lay without fear. How could he possibly be afraid of someone who looked so angry and simultaneously look so adorable? Gojo was right in that regard; Utahime really was just too easy to rile up. Sure, she was feisty through an' through and not afraid to give you a pierce of her mind and a proper tongue lashing besides when pressed; it was one of the many reasons he enjoyed teasing her so.
Even now, when she looked like she wanted nothing more than to kick him in the head
After all, what was Life without a little Laughter? Boring was what it was.
Hence the Very Enthusiastic Walks.
That was both part and parcel why he'd paid Toji a visit; he was curious to see how his old adversary would react. Once he made move- be it the right or wrong regardless- the next few days promised to be entertaining for him. He craved it, you see. When you couldn't die, you found all sorts of ways to entertain yourself.
"Are you even listening to me?!"
Oh, dear. Utahime was shaking him now. Such an excitable girl.
He really hadn't been pay attention again. It was easy to get lose in his thoughts these days. Gotta watch that.
"What?" he dug a finger in his ear and uttered a jaw-popping yawn. "To be fair, I don't know what I am anymore. As a result neither does she." he flicked a thumb over his shoulder were a dutiful Seras stood behind him in silent vigil. "It all balances out, really."
Seras heaved a sigh behind him. "It really doesn't, Master...
"No need to call me that." he leaned his head back with a grin, letting himself dangle from Iori's grasp like a puppet with its strings cut. "How are we feeling?"
She squirmed a little. "I feel...restless."
"I'm sure." He reached up to tweak Utahime's nose, drawing an outraged squaek from the shrine maiden, whom he summarily spoke over." Its only been a few days and you haven't had your first taste of real combat. Ya will soon."
She blinked owlishly at him, all naive innocence. "What makes you so sure?
His eyes twinkled, anticipating the challenge to come. "Call it intuition. You'll see-
"No!" Utahime dropped him to thrust a finger at his fellow blond. "One of you is bad enough, we don't need a second! You will behave proper. Properly. The last thing we need is another cursed spirit causing havoc-
"Hey!" he rose on his haunches and poked her stomach, drawing a startled laugh from her. "I'm no cursed spirit! I'm a shinobi! I killed a lot of people to get this title and I deserve to be called as such!"
If looks could kill, he would be a smoldering pile of ashes at Utahime's feet. Thankfully they didn't and he could be as cheeky as he wished.
"Aww, what's wrong? You gonna send Satoru after me?" his grin grew. "That might work...if we weren't best friends."
"That blasted Gojo-
He heart footsteps behind on the shrine steps behind them. "Somebody mention my name? Ah! Its Utahime~!"
Speak of the devil and he shall appear!
Utahime took one look at the approaching sorcerer flung up her arms. "Enough! I'm going on ahead before you two give me another migraine or worse!"
Naruto righted himself with a bemused noise. "Same time next week~?"
She flipped him off. "ROT IN HELL AND DIE!"
"Love ya too!"
A pebble caromed harmlessly off his head. He laughed at it.
Gojo reached him not a moment later. "Aww, you're leaving? Don't I get a goodbye kiss?"
Utahime beat feet and scarpered with an utterly unprofessional oath unbefitting of a shrine maiden.
"You know only nags because she worries about you.
Naruto snorted. "I'm aware. Its just too fun to poke and prod her,
Gojo elbowed him. "Careful you don't prod too much and make her snap. She's liable to jump you."
"I think I can handle one angry girl. Unless you're talking about a different kind of jumping. Wouldn't mind that...
His old friend feigned a gasp and clutched at his chest. "Do you think she's cheating on me? Say it ain't so! My heart is broken! I can't go on!"
Naruto bit his lip to stifle a snicker; only to failed when Gojo started chuckled. With that, the floodgates opened, the dam burst, and they were doomed. In a matter of moments they were cackling outright, clapping each other on the back as they doubled over, shoulders shaking with uncontained mirth. All the while a baffled Seras looked on in utter bewilderment. Poor girl. She didn't understand yet. She would one day. Laughter was the spice of life and when you had nothing but eternity to look forward to, you found amusement where you could.
"Hmhmmhmmm." Gojo hummed out one last laugh and straightened up, his gaze straying to Seras. "So, this is your new accomplice, is it?"
Seras stiffened under his smile with a squeak.
"She is." Naruto preened at her. "Say hullo, police girl."
She sighed. "You're not going to let that nickname drop anytime soon, are you?"
"No," his smile stretched in a shit-eating grin. "No, I am not...
Gojo waved him on. "Walk with me a bit?"
Naruto shrugged. Wasn't like he had anything better to do.
As one they turned set out toward the steps of the shrine, traveling upon its rigid red arches.
It was under the shadow of one such arch that his Equal finally stopped smiling. "Is that girl? gonna be a problem?"
"Not at all. Seras is good people." Belatedly he noticed something, or rather the lack of someone beside him. "You came alone? No Shoko today?"
"Nah," Gojo waved a hand. "The higher ups don't want to send her on a dangerous mission like this. She's too valuable."
Which could only mean one thing. "So I'm guessing Geto's guarding Amanai right now."
"He is." The young man's nod confirmed his concerns. "Better safe than sorry after Q's little ambush back in the city. Something wrong?"
He shrugged. "Just a feeling. You should be careful."
"What's this?" Gojo tilted his sunglasses down as they walked, eyes sparkling with childish mirth. "Is that actual concern I see? For little 'ol me? Why, I'm touched! I-ack?!" he recoiled as an open palm struck the back of his head with a harsh smack, leaving a swollen red welt behind in its wake. He clutched at it with a pout. "What was that for?!"
"You need to focus more on your Limitless technique. I was able to get through that time."
"Stingy."
"Lazy." he countered. "You need to try harder. Your defense should be automatic."
"Why?" Came the immediate retort. "I'm the strongest out there. No one can touch me." Naruto quirked a blond brow his way and he amended his statement with a sullen sigh, planting both hands in his pockets as his shoulders slouched. "Well...almost no one. You're the exception to the rule."
"Because I'm broken."
Gojo tittered. "Deeefinitely broken."
That remained to be seen. Once Gojo awakened and fully mastered his abilities, he'd put him through his paces and then some. That would be a real right. Something to look forward to. Kurama would have called him selfish for that. Maybe it was. But someone like Gojo only came around once in a lifetime. Although...
A thought occurred to him, and on a whim, he pursued it.
"You know, I've always wondered about something,."
"What's that?"
He paused on the step above Gojo and turned to face him fully. "Who do you think's stronger? Me? Or you?"
A sudden gust of whirling wind whipped through the shrine, carrying swirling leaves with it.
There it was. God's smug smile flickered for a split second, and his confidence, too.
He planted his foot on the next step and-
"Ehhhh," he waved a hand, shattering the tension. "Lets call it a tie. I'd rather not fight you at all, really."
His smile softened. "Well, at least you're honest."
Speaking of honest, is that crazy girl still after you?" He glanced back to Seras, still maintaining a dutiful distance behind them. "She's not going to be happy that you've made yourself a friend."
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose to stifle a headache of his own. "Don't remind meeeee...
Now there was a can of worms he'd have to deal with sooner or later.
Hopefully later. He wasn't in the mood for it this year.
"So?" he asked apropos of nothing. "Has anyone tried to kill Amanai, yet?"
"Yup." came the chipper response. "Already fended off some annoying bastards from the Q organization. Still got another day or so of it before she merges with Tengen. Why?
"No reason."
"Is that so?" Gojo granted him a cheshire grin and elbowed his ribs. "Afraid your little niece will fall for us?
...no. He looked to the clouds high above. "Just a feeling. Don't let your guard down."
"Well, if you're that bored, why not come with us? The more the merrier~!
He nearly said no out of habit, if nothing else. Then again...
...sure, why not. It'll tick off your bosses, though."
Bah! Let the higher ups gripe. This'll be fun."
(.0.0.0.)
"Unnnnncle~!"
Riko Amanai was an energetic girl, loud and excitable.
To be frank, Gojo had found her more than a little annoying at first.
He still hadn't forgotten -or forgiven!- that smack she'd given him earlier. His own fault for letting Limitless down, he suppose, but still. The girl had spunk and spirit in spades, almost too much. At first he had thought that was all she was; just another annoying girl to protect. It had taken time to ferret out who she really underneath it all, to see the underlying fragility that defined her soul.
You wouldn't know it the way she rushed Naruto.
The blond brawler caught her under the arms, swept her up and around, then held her to his chest. "There's my niece! How are we doing today!"
"I'm doing great! But where have you been?! Its been three years!"
He fobbed her off with an excuse Gojo didn't quite catch.
...hmm, alright! I'll forgive you this once!"
Evidently satisfied, Amanai snuggled into her uncle's chest, making happy noises as they looked on. Gojo watched it all, listening with half an ear. This was a girl who would be "erased" in two days time, all traces of her wiped away. Something in his heart lurched at the thought. It didn't seem fair. She should have hopes and dreams, ambitions. She should be meant for so much more...surely she deserved a choice, at the very least. She should be able to choose. To take her life in her own hands. And if she chose not to be erased, not to merge with Tengen...
He looked to Koroi, the girl's maid. Saw the tears in her eyes. Even Geto seemed saddened by the sight before them.
Did Naruto really wasnt this girl to be sacrificed? Or did he have something else in mind?
Tch. When did he get so damned attached...?
The stage was set.
The pieces were prepared.
Now, then...let the games begin.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Had a bit of fun with this. Hope folks enjoyed it.
We've got quite a few twists coming up. I wonder if you'll see them coming.
Well? What say you? Do you want this to remain a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard! Really need to hear from you, here.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself isn't popular? Well...I'll not continue it. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? Hope you enjoy the previews.
We've got some new ones and some are...intense.
They've been expanded and then some!
I cut down on them to not spoil things.
Read at your own risk:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT YOU!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
He took Koroi's hand and kissed it.
Her eyes widened just so. And then she smiled.
"So you can be a gentleman when you want to be."
"Gojo. Geto."
Both boys turned to face him.
He grabbed them by their heads and-
CLONK.
Throw them on the plane. Wake me when we get to Okinawa...
"Amanai! Duck!"
She obeyed without hesitation.
A bullet whistled harmlessly over her head...and landed in Naruto's palm.
Geto watched two monsters duke it out. Monsters. Yes, that was the word. They were just so damn fast...!
Seems I'm being followed. Is it Yorozu or Yuki, I wonder...
So this is what pain feels like. I'd almost forgotten."
"Seras! Time to use the canon~!"
"Hello, Kenjaku, you little leech. I thought you knew better?"
"Isn't it obvious? You're weak.
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME! I'm going to enjoy swallowing up that smug face of yours!"
"Hey, Sukuna! Long time no see!
An eye creaked open.
"You again...?"
R&R~!