Chapter 18

As Satoru and Sukuna wondered about, Yua and Chusi took full advantage of the spa. Yua had been going often since it felt wonderful, they even had a special one for expecting women. Chusi tagged along with her so she wouldn't be alone. Since then, they have had girl time and chit chatted.

"So, am I safe to assume the real reason why you swapped them was so you and Ryomen could have some fun?" Yua asked aloud.

"Partly, yes." Chusi said as she was getting a pedicure. Yua on the other hand was sitting in a medicated hot bath prepared just for her.

"BUT," Yua said aloud. "I think the real reason was for Gojo to see how special our children really are and to better understand them. Shin told me how much Satoru understood him after realizing his technique and Gojo's are completely different. He also understood how strong Rook was becoming, however, I don't know if Mochi approached him for lessons… He should understand now, if one is going to use them as chips in a duel as you say… there has to be consequences for it."

Chusi was silent at first, but that smile gave it away. "Shin told me how frustrated he was that Satoru didn't hear him explain that his method was different than his father's. Gojo is determined that his son learn HIS method HIS way. He didn't take into consideration that Shin already had one for himself. Ryomen knew and understood instantly, he was actually impressed to Shin's two channels for curse energy."

"I was amazed too, I haven't seen something like that either."

"Very rare, and sometimes a sorcerer only uses half of their power, being unaware that they too have two channels. It's why some sorcerers are so weak, they are unaware of the second path their curse energy has to take."

"I assume Ryomen has two channels?"

"He does, it's why he is so quick to unleash an attack as well as adapt to it. That mind of his…" she purred. "I do like my man smart… I have to admit though, seeing him act foolish… it was rather refreshing. He's always so serious and being dignified… he has to let loose every so often and poke fun at himself!"

"Another good reason to switch them, I do admit, I missed my goofball of a husband, at the same time, he took good care of me and the kids when he was more serious…"

"We both won right?" Chusi asked.

"Yeah, I admit, we both won out on them switching… Is it weird for me to say that they actually bonded over fighting?!"

Chusi laughed but nodded. "Had he not been insane at the time and Satoru an ass, they would have been good friends I think…"

"THOSE TWO!?" Yua protested. "I think Gojo would drive Sukuna…"

"RYOMEN!"

"Sorry, still getting use to that. I thought Satoru and Ryomen would drive each other nuts! I mean, Suiryu doesn't even take Gojo seriously"

"And yet, somehow, Ryomen has made friends with Toshi of all people?"

"I think it's the traditions that bounded those two together, as well… Toshi was the first person he saved selflessly, I know he keeps saying he saved Toshi for the sake of his brewery. But, I doubt that."

Chusi nodded. "Toshi reminds me of my father," she said offhandedly.

"HIM? He's but a boy!"

"But it's his mannerisms, his words and how he speaks, he always talks in a gentle tone. I haven't seen him furious, and I have no doubt should that day come… Ryomen would be proud."

Yua paused, she shifted herself in the bath to get a little closer. "You think Toshi could cause some damage like Ryomen if upset?"

She smiled back. "I don't doubt it, I know he would. At the same time, it would have to be something rather large to do so…"

"I have seen him upset." Yua said. "In fact, Ryomen saved his family when he went to confront his clan. Toshi wanted to negotiate an agreement. The clan can come after him all they want, however, to leave his mother and her family out of it. Apparently, they were going to do her in anyways. They recorded them killing her, making sure he saw everything… how unfortunate for them. Ryomen beat them to it. He already knew they would do such a thing, then again, in his old mind set, it's what he would have done too. From what I remembered… Toshi had spurt out blood all over the room, and then turned them stuff and hard like wire, ensnaring everyone in the blood trap. He walked out of the room, teasing the tense wire but I thought he would have left them as is… he didn't turn around, but he reached behind him and pulled the wire. Ryomen was very impressed by it."

She nodded. "That's the thing, as much as it pains me that he went through such a thing, despite surviving his madness. Ryomen sees things from the other side. The darker side of thinking and rationality, it's will benefit us. It already has benefitted us."

"I agree completely."

"Miss, it's time to leave the bath." The attendant said gently.

Yua nodded as she got herself dried off and a fresh robe and slippers. Yet as she changed, Chusi smirked. "I think you are growing faster here than you think."

"HEY!" Yua protested, but paused and peered down at herself. She was getting a small belly on her… damn it.

"Not a bad thing, but it's strange that your child is developing faster, isn't it?"

Yua agreed. At the same time, she was concerned when they get home. She just had a terrible feeling that Kenjaku is going to be pulling something on them. He has had time to plan. "What do we do with Kenjaku?" she asked. "By orders of Lady Tiamat, we cannot kill him just yet. At the same time, I want to know how we are going to deal with him when his time comes…"

Chusi nodded. "Killing him I think is not as simple as it appears to be. He has more tricks in him than a jester." She said bluntly. "If anything, the reason why we can't kill him yet, is that we have yet to figure out HOW to kill him. He's been alive this long for a reason, there has to be more to it than his technique."

"Binding vow?"

"Binding vow"

"But what he has bounded himself to, that's what we need to ask." She paused oddly. "We encountered him a while ago… the day Ryomen and I got married and Suguru was accompanying us. However, I don't think he is aware that I am back, at the same time, that gives us an advantage…"

"It does?" Yua asked.

Chusi nodded. "There is one other thing I forgot to mention about my technique. If one has made a binding vow with themselves, that's a contract of the soul that you have with you. Since there is no other bounded to it, I can break those." She said and smiled. "After all, it has to do with the soul, does it not?"

"Seriously, what IS your technique?" Yua demanded. "It's the soul, I get it, but that is extremely versatile in jujutsu to an extent, isn't it?"

"It is," Chusi replied in a simple tone. "But you keep forgetting, we're Toorus. So, dear sister. If I see a technique that has to do with the soul, I can learn it for myself and master it eventually, depending on the method as well as the complexity of the technique. You have the same ability too, I noticed though you learn a technique then abandon it shortly after. Why is that?"

She considered it, but it was true. Yua would spend time learning a method. In fact the last one she was learning was Sukuna's before she had Rook and Mochi, then all training went on the back burner for the sake of the children. She has observed others but at the same time… she has hardly used her curse energy.

"I haven't fought that much either…" she said offhandedly. "Perhaps I am not cut out to be a sorcerer…"

Only to get a snorted laugh out of Chusi.

"Are you kidding me!" she snickered. "If anything, you ought to be running the council!"

"What?!" Yua demanded.

"Never… and I mean never… have I seen this sort of cooperation before among sorcerers who are not family." She explained. "We could get this sort of agreement among our clan no more or less. But sister, look at those who have gathered around you… who have come to trust you and your judgment. That is a leader." She decreed. "Not to mention, there are not many people that I know of who have Ryomen wrapped around their finger… literally… besides me." She said and marveled at her curse mark on her ring finger.

"But that wasn't all me, that was Itadori too."

"Yes, and he would have died had you not interfered." She said bluntly. "I saw what you have done, I used the room to see what you accomplished in a short period of time before your death… you amaze me."

She was silent to that, Yua didn't think it was anything special since, sorcerers have different ways of conveying if they are of importance or not. Yua was always seen as an enemy, the council even tried to influence that to their students. And yet…

"What do you think is going to happen, from this moment on? I mean to have Ryomen Sukuna on our side… but at the same time, I don't believe he is truly on our side…"

"Please explain yourself." Chusi said in a tired tone. "I am sick and tried of having to defend him to everyone, but you, sister?"

"What I mean is this, he's not on our side, the jujutsu notion side… he's merely on the Tooru's side. In the domain, if we weren't there. He won't listen to anyone else, he still argues and stands his ground against Yuuji and Suiryu. But with us… it is more of an understanding and respect, isn't it?"

Chusi paused, but then nodded. "I see, that's what you meant…" she said.

"Yes, I know Ryomen is set in his ways, at the same time, he has to know that he needs to trust and rely on the others. As well, I would hate to assume this of him, but I think Ryomen doesn't believe anyone would help him if he came to ask for it. No one has really asked him for help besides the children. He also doesn't take request seriously unless he believes they are sincere."

"I didn't consider that…" Chusi said offhandedly. "When we go home, let's see if we can bridge that, even just a little."

"I think our best bet is to have him teach the children a little."

"Ooo, great idea and that way he can get experience!" she said proudly. "I do hope we have a child sooner than later, he still is against the notion… that was until he and Satoru swapped bodies… then I couldn't keep him off of me!"

Yua turned red with embarrassment as the staff around her appeared a little… startled by her decree.

"Perhaps we shouldn't brag…"

Chusi only smiled. "Oh I'll brag about this for a while, but only if push comes to shove…" she suddenly bore a cheeky grin.

"Nice, you learned double entendre rather quickly…"