Chapter 16

Meanwhile…

What remained of the sorcerers who answered to the former jujutsu council, gathered in the shadow of the night. There was but a handful of them left, yet, they knew they must act before they too fall to this rouge group of sorcerers.

Matters have not been helped since there is a new legion in charge. Those among friends were worried. "I know some of those sorcerers… in fact the master brought them back during the last culling game. Why are they back again?!"

"Ever since the attack on Tooru, our numbers dwindle down more and more!" one protested. "It's as if we are being hunted down!"

Nods came from all around them. They knew it too. Many would speak with their fellow councilman one day, only to learn the next, that he is dead. It was a hit, no doubt about it, but the way they are finding the bodies is rather unsettling.

"Does anyone know why this is happening? As well, have anyone seen the bodies afterwards?"

There came an odd pause as many looked away. "There aren't any." One uttered. "All we find are ashes, bloodstains, residual energy and the scorch marks of where the body fell, nothing more. Whoever is doing this… knows what they are doing. They know they are sorcerers and can only defeat them with curse energy… but… some haven't been."

This brought another pause to the handful of people. "What do you mean?"

The youngest among them sighed. "My elder… master… who has been training me… was killed using a mortal weapon, no curse energy whatsoever. We all know what becomes of use if we are not killed with curse energy… I heard he was reeking havoc in the downtown district until recently… He was contained, but not defeated."

"Contained?"

"A curse tamer has appeared."

Silence once more. "There hasn't been one since Suguru Geto… pardon… Kenjaku. He lost that ability when he changed out his body…"

"I am more than aware, which means there is another out there!"

There came looks among the council, and a greedy smile followed. "So… if we were to inform Master Kenjaku of this… curse tamer. Perhaps he may assist us?"

"I doubt that, he would be in it for the body, he wouldn't do anything to help!"

They paused to consider their words. "What I have found strange is this… despite there being object of Sukuna still about in Japan… no one has tried to gather and obtain them…" one old man spoke.

They peered at him oddly. "What are you getting at?!"

"Why not do what our elders did back then, when it came to the Tooru family? Why soil our hands when we can get one who knows how to destroy a clan with ease? Best of all, if we are to revive Sukuna… he won't be at full power!"

Temptation came over their faces. "So, bring Sukuna back to destroy Tooru for us… then all who had gone to her will return to us?" one asked.

"In theory yes."

The smiles grew. "Perhaps… this is worth looking in to?"

"More so than that. We play this right, perhaps we can control him as well for our own personal use! We control Sukuna, we control all jujutsu!"

Their smiles grew.

"Let's do that then. If we do nothing, we are going to be picked off one by one. It's bad enough not all of us can meet together in such a manner like this…"

"So… there ARE more of you?"

Their blood ran cold to the voice, peering about, they tried to find a face to it. "Whose there? SHOW YOURSELF YOU COWARD!"

There was silence… until snickering was heard, and a full out demonic laugh. The sorcerers worried, for it sounded… familiar to them.

"Me? The coward? I merely hiding myself to bide my time… after all… I want this to last. You all tend to die so quickly… it's rather disappointing…"

They sensed no curse energy, which meant…

"Are you perhaps part of the new assassins that have risen to power? The ones who took over the Zen'in estates!?" one shouted.

He snickered once more. "I am not associated with them… if anything, I am the new guardian of the Tooru family!" the voice then laughed demonically once more. "And I take my job VERY seriously, for you see, a guardian is to ensure there are no threats to the family I protect. Those who wish to do them harm… are removed before doing so… quite frankly, I wasn't anticipating on being in this position. However, here I am… now… make this fun for me… Run."

#

Back at the domain.

"Wait, he went OUT?"

Chusi smiled warmly and nodded. "He always liked to hunt at night, some of the best prey comes out after dark… tea?"

Yua paused oddly as she sat and spoke with Chusi, she appears to be very content with her life, not to mention she finally has a child of her own, and yet…

"Sukuna…"

"RYOMEN!" she snapped back. "He is your in law, address him as such, be more formal!" she ordered.

Yua was taken aback but nodded, it hasn't been easy for her to call Sukuna by his given name, at the same time… she doesn't know if he likes it either. "So, how is Ryoto doing?"

Chusi's smile grew. She is so proud of her child, but then sighed. "He has an iron will like a Tooru… I have to keep a closer eye on him. Ever since Toshi began to get a little… fluffy, Ryoto has been eyeing him oddly… he thinks Toshi is a possible napping partner."

Yua paused oddly. "Is… that normal? My kids didn't get like that…" she said offhandedly.

Chusi smiled. "That… he gets from his father."

Yua nearly spat out her tea. "What?!"

"Oh yeah! Ryomen always wanted someone next to him as he slept. Think about it, he had NO ONE growing up until the family found him, he learned what comfort was and has craved it. Ryoto is the same way, he wants to be with someone as he rests knowing he is going to be looked after and protected. Truthfully he was drawn to Panda since he looked like a massive teddy bear. Toshi… I think he senses the connection he has to his father and knows he is someone trustworthy."

"Speaking of Ryoto…"

"In his crib asleep." She said confidently, but then her smile faded. "Wait… Excuse me for a moment…" Chusi left the table. Yua peered over and saw her inspect the baby's room when she sighed aloud. She closed the door and took her seat once more. "I think my son is too much like his father…" she said offhandedly. "He left his crib… again."

"Uh… shouldn't we go look for him?"

Chusi smiled. "We're in the domain, he cannot leave here just yet he doesn't know how. We will find him sooner than later…"

"But if he goes looking for Toshi… now isn't a good time. It's been nearly a month since he found out his situation, if Ryoto goes to him when his mind isn't all there… you do know he goes more dragon like as his body adjusts to whether or not he is going to tend to the children… right?" Yua asked of her.

Chusi kept calm, but place her tea down. "Then we better find him before he finds Toshi…"

Fortunately for the Tooru women, they found Ryoto, but he was indeed heading towards Toshi's residence!