I wait anxiously for the first years to return. I've cleaned the whole house, I've organized the babies room three different ways, I've opened all the windows for fresh air then closed them all. I can't sit still, I need to go out for a walk.
I grab my coat and put my shoes on and head out the door. I walk absolutely everywhere on campus. To the field, to all the buildings, to the cafe, everywhere. Nothing helps me calm my nerves. I'm here alone. Everyone except Yaga and Shoko are out on mission. I decide I haven't seen Shoko in a while so I start making my way to her office. On the way, I pass some dumpsters and hear a strange noise come from them. I jump at the sudden sound and back up a few steps.
What jumps out at me surprises me. Instead of it being someone or something there to hurt me and the baby, it's something rather harmless actually. A little cat. He or she is black with a few white hairs in between the eyes, four white paws, and a white chest. He looks extremely similar to the cat that used to come visit me in the orphanage. I smile and let out a breath kneeling down and offering my hand.
The little thing walks up to me and bumps his head against my hand begging for attention. I pet him and he plops over on the ground showing me his belly. I determine he's a boy and I rub it his belly to see if he'll react and there's no reaction. I grab his feet and tail and tug on him anywhere, but he couldn't care any less. He's very loving and easy going. He doesn't meow or talk at all. All he has to say can be seen through those big yellow eyes. I fall in love instantly.
"Hey little thing. You look thin." I say observing his ribs poking out.
He just looks up at me innocently.
He only has to be a few months old. Maybe five, six months. He's little still. I pick him up and get no complaints from him. He cuddles into me and I hold him under his feet so he feels secure.
"Wanna come with me buddy?" I ask him knowing I won't receive an answer.
He rubs his head along my cheek and I can't help but melt. He's the cutest little thing ever. I smile widely and pet him deciding to show Shoko my find.
I walk into her office and she turns around, "check it out." I say proudly.
"Oh no, who are you?" She asks smiling and walking over.
"I haven't named him yet but it seems I have been chosen." I say jokingly.
"Oh man, what will Satoru say?" She asks.
"Eh, I think he'll like him actually. He seems pretty chill." I say.
She laughs, "well that's so cool. Where'd he come from?"
"He was rummaging around in the dumpsters when he came out begging for attention." I say petting him.
I put him down and he rubs against Shoko's leg too.
"Oh my goodness you're too sweet! Here." She says walking over to her desk. She takes what looks like chicken from her lunch and breaks pieces off for him to eat.
He walks over to her casually and gratefully eats the chicken.
"Poor guy looks starving. But he's got you guys now, so he'll be just fine." She says.
"I love him already." I say, "and it'll be good for Niko to grow up with an animal."
"Oh for sure. Speaking of, having any contractions yet?" She asks.
It's only the very beginning of October and I'm technically not due until the end, but you never know. It could be any day from what Shoko says.
"No, not yet." I say.
She chuckles, "I bet you're ready for it though."
"Oh yeah, I've been ready to have the baby for a few months now. I'm getting anxious. I just don't want to have him without Satoru." I say.
She nods, "well, I can almost guarantee you that Gojo wouldn't miss that for anything."
I chuckle, "I know."
"Don't worry so much. Everything's alright. Why don't you go home and relax for a bit." She suggests.
I sigh, "i've tried that."
"Well, maybe he can help." She says pointing at the cat.
The little cat walks back over to me with a full belly and plops down at my feet.
I chuckle, "yeah maybe."
"Go on, it's getting late and you'll need rest soon. The students will be back soon and be just fine, and if anything happens you come straight to me and we'll call Gojo yeah?" She says.
I nod, "yeah, alright."
"Okay, see you later then." She says.
"See ya." I say picking the little cat up and we walk back to the apartment.
I put him down and he immediately starts investigating everything in the house. I grab two bowls for him and fill one up with water. I'll grab food tomorrow when the stores open again. I go over and grab him up before he gets the chance to walk very far and check him for any fleas or other parasites. I decide to play it safe and take him to the bathroom.
I grab some dawn dish soap and fill the bathtub up with warm water. He is unsure at first but he actually hops in the tub himself. I guess if I lived on the streets a little water wouldn't scare me either. He seems to like it actually. He licks up some of the water but then looks at me curiously. What a weird cat.
I wash him really good with the dish soap and the clear water turns brown. His coat starts feeling a lot cleaner and he's taking in the massage like it's the best thing ever. His eyes close as I scrub him and he starts purring. Either he likes baths or he knows he needed this. Either way he's doing so good.
I take him out of the bathtub once i'm satisfied and towel dry him. It takes most of the water off but he has some work to do. So he gets right to it. He plops down on the bathroom floor and starts licking himself dry. I chuckle to myself and leave him be.
I walk in the living room and drop the wet towel into the dirty basket and sit on the couch. When I open my phone I see three missed calls from Itadori and Kugisaki both.
"Shit." I say calling Itadori back.
"Hello? Sensei Gojo?" He says.
"Hey, you called?" I say.
"Yeah, we need you at Shoko's infirmary. We're all alive but, well I figured I should tell you Fushiguro took a pretty good beating. He could hardly walk back to the car." He says nervously.
"What?!" I say.
"Yeah, he's resting now and Shoko healed him so he's fine, but you always want me to call when we get back from a mission so-" he says before I cut him off.
"Stay right there." I say and walk quickly out the door and to Shoko's. He said they were fine, but I need to see it for myself. I should have just stayed at Shoko's.
I burst in the room and see Megumi sitting on Shoko's table looking exhausted and beat up.
"What happened?" I ask.
"It was three curses, not one." Kugisaki says from another table also looking beat up and exhausted.
"Itadori! You didn't tell me about Kugisaki." I say.
"She told me if I told you she got hurt she'd kill me." He says throwing his hands up.
I sigh and look at her.
"I'm fine Sensei, really. Fushiguro is the worst for wear here." She says.
I look at Megumi and see he's fast asleep and decide not to bother him.
"So three huh?" I say sitting down.
"Yeah, but it was weird. I didn't see Fushiguro's fight, but the two we fought were physical. They didn't get exorcized when we beat them. They just... died." Itadori explains.
I raise an eyebrow, "they died? As in they were curse users?" I ask.
"Or transfigured humans maybe. Their bodies weren't exactly… human." Itadori says.
I sigh thinking of what this could mean. It doesn't make any sense.
"But they kept talking about their brotherly bond and how they were connected to each other." Kugisaki says.
"Brothers?" I say with a lightbulb going off in my head, "those were the cursed death painting children."
"The what?" Itadori asks confused.
"It's a long story. The point is that those were stolen from Jujutsu High during the exchange even attack. Something's up." I say.
"So it's all one big scheme?" Kugisaki asks.
I nod, "yes but we haven't found out the end goal. But nevermind that now. You guys rest up tonight. We'll act in a few days on this." I say standing up.
I walk to the door and turn to them before leaving, "i'm glad you kids are alright."
"Thanks Sensei." Kugisaki says.
I walk out and back to the apartment. The mole needs to be found. I need to get in contact with Utahime and see what she's found. We need to stop this once and for all.
———
Hey guys! I loved writing this chapter mainly because I modeled the kitten after my own cat who passed away about a year or so ago now. He was the best little boy I could have ever asked for. He acted and looked the same way that I described him. He and I's bond was really strong. So, I figured since we all know Gojo is for sure a cat guy, that I could put the best cat in the entire world in here as the Gojo family pet. Thanks for reading as always and I hope you don't mind me putting him in here. This chapter goes out to Tux. Love you forever boogie.