Satoru Gojo lies awake, his gaze fixed on the dark, twisted tattoo Sukuna had branded on Kenji's leg. The sight of it sends a wave of something sharp, bitter, and unsettling through him, a sensation he struggles to define. It's like poison coursing through his veins, gnawing at him relentlessly, dragging him into a pit of emotions he can't quite control.
Kenji sleeps soundly on top of him, oblivious to the silent war raging within Satoru. His breath fans Satoru's chest with each exhale as if the world outside their bed doesn't exist, and in a way, it doesn't, not with them both encased in his Infinity.
But that damned mark.
Satoru's hand hovers above the cursed brand, the urge to destroy it pulsing through his fingers. He imagines blasting the mark away, shattering it into nothingness, but even that wouldn't erase the fact that it was there, that Sukuna had dared to touch Kenji, to claim him in any way. The thought twists something deep inside Satoru, a raw, primal need that makes him want to tear the world apart.
He's never been one to share, why should he start now?
Especially with someone as vile as Sukuna.
Satoru isn't used to feeling anything other than supreme confidence, absolute certainty in his power, and his place above all others.
Jealousy is a concept he's only ever seen in others, something petty and beneath him, but here it is, festering within him like a disease. It's messy, unrefined, and completely beyond his control, things he's never tolerated in himself. His eyes narrow as they return to the mark on Kenji's leg, a possessive growl rising in his throat. Sukuna is trying to seduce Kenji, and worse, Gojo can see that the cursed king is succeeding, just a little, just enough to infuriate him. Kenji is his.
The possessiveness makes Satoru want to level entire cities, and that realization terrifies him, just a little. It's not that he doubts Kenji's loyalty or affection, but Sukuna is manipulative, and charismatic in his twisted way, and Kenji, despite all his strength, is still vulnerable to that kind of influence.
Satoru's breath hitches as the absurd idea of marking Kenji himself surfaces in his mind, branding him with something that everyone, especially Sukuna, can see.
It wouldn't be a crude tattoo like the one on Kenji's leg, no, it would be something elegant, unmistakable, and permanent. His fingers twitch as he imagines tracing the line of Kenji's neck, leaving his mark there, a claim far more powerful than anything Sukuna could ever hope to achieve.
The thought sends a thrill through him, a mixture of desire and possessiveness that borders on danger. Satoru leans closer, his breath ghosting over Kenji's neck, where he imagines his mark would go. It would be in a place so obvious that anyone who looked at Kenji would know immediately who he belonged to.
His mouth hovers just above Kenji's skin, his fingers trembling with the desire to claim him, to make sure that everyone knows Kenji is his and his alone. The idea is intoxicating, almost maddening in its intensity.
What would it mean to mark him? Would it be a promise?
A warning? He's not even sure, he just knows he can't stand the thought of Kenji being touched by anyone else, least of all Sukuna.
The idea spirals out of control in his mind. Why stop at one mark?
Why not cover Kenji in them, a tapestry of his ownership for all the world to see? Each mark would be a declaration of love, of power, of possession. It would be a beautiful, twisted tribute to their bond, an indelible reminder that Kenji is his, and his alone.
Satoru's breath quickens, his heart pounding as he imagines the ritual, the pain, the ecstasy of carving his claim into Kenji's flesh.
He could do it right now. Kenji wouldn't even wake up; he wouldn't feel a thing except maybe a faint tingle. But that wouldn't be enough.
No, Kenji should feel it, should remember every second of it, should know with every fiber of his being that he belongs to Satoru.
The thought of seeing him wither and cry out sends a jolt of something dark and primal through Satoru. He could do it.
He could mark Kenji, and claim him in a way that no one else ever could, but as his mouth hovers above Kenji's neck, ready to leave the first mark, something stops him.
A flicker of doubt, of fear, maybe even of sanity. What if Kenji didn't want this?
What if he hated Satoru for it? The thought is almost unbearable, a black hole of despair that threatens to swallow him whole. Satoru pulls away, his breath shaky, his heart racing with the intensity of emotions he doesn't fully understand.
He tightens his hold on Kenji, as if by doing so, he can keep him safe from everything, Sukuna, the world, even himself. For now, that will have to be enough, but the idea lingers, festering in the back of his mind.
Satoru presses a kiss on Kenji's forehead, his lips trembling with the weight of his unspoken thoughts.
Shoko Ieiri lounges in her cluttered office, a cigarette smoldering between her fingers.
The sun is setting outside, casting long shadows over her stacks of medical texts and scattered supplies. She's halfway through organizing a new batch of curses when Kenji bursts in, his usual confident demeanor a bit more subdued than usual.
"Hey, Shoko," Kenji says, trying to keep his voice casual but failing to mask the undercurrent of seriousness.
Shoko doesn't even bother looking up. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Sunshine."
"What's got your knickers in a twist today? Don't tell me Gojo finally dumped you for someone less insufferably cheerful?"
Kenji grins, though it's a bit forced. "Nah, Gojo's stuck with me."
" I just… need your help with something. I want to learn to reverse cursed technique."
Shoko finally looks up, one eyebrow arched in mock surprise. "Reverse cursed technique?"
"Wow, I didn't think you had the attention span for something that requires actual skill and patience. What's with the sudden shift from flashy energy blasts to delicate body reconstruction? Finally ready to be your own man instead of Gojo's shadow?" She teases with a drag of her cigarette.
Kenji laughs, the sound more genuine this time. "You know me, always up for a challenge! Besides, I've struck a deal with Sukuna. I need to reconstruct a body to fulfill my end of the bargain."
Shoko snorts, leaning back in her chair. "Sukuna, huh?"
"Always knew you had a death wish." She leans forward flicking her cigarette, "Or are you just bored of living? Either way, you've picked the right technique. Reverse cursed technique isn't for the faint of heart—or the easily distracted."
She eyes him with disbelief, "Sure you're up for it?"
Kenji nods enthusiastically, his earlier seriousness melting away under Shoko's cynical gaze. "Of course!"
"I'm ready for anything! Just point me in the right direction, and I'll figure it out."
Shoko rolls her eyes, but there's a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "Alright, fine. Let's get this over with. But don't come crying to me when you realize how much this sucks."
She leads Kenji through a maze of dimly lit corridors to the morgue. The room is stark, sterile, and filled with the faint scent of antiseptic. Metal tables line the space, each holding a body covered by a white sheet.
Kenji's eyes widen as he takes in the grim surroundings. "So, we're practicing on these?"
"That's… kinda grim, don't you think?"
Shoko chuckles, the sound dry and humorless. "Welcome to the wonderful world of reverse cursed technique, Kenji. It's not all rainbows and sunshine."
"You want to learn? This is how you do it. These bodies are your practice dummies, so get over it."
Kenji takes a deep breath, pushing down his discomfort with a determined grin. "Alright, let's do this!"
"I'm ready!"
Shoko approaches a table and pulls back the sheet, revealing a body. "We'll start with something simple. Your goal is to reverse an injury. This should give you a good foundation."
Kenji steps up to the table, his usual buoyant attitude resurfacing. "No problem! I've got this!"
Shoko watches him with a raised eyebrow as he focuses on the body, his hands hovering uncertainly over it. "Don't overthink it, Kenji. You need to use your cursed energy to reverse the damage, not make it worse."
Kenji nods, concentrating hard. He channels his energy into the body, but nothing happens. He frowns, trying again, but still no result.
"See what I mean?" Shoko says dryly. "It's not as easy as it looks."
"You're trying too hard. The reverse cursed technique requires a subtle touch, not brute force. You need to feel the injury, understand it, and then use your energy to reverse it." Kenji's face scrunches up in concentration as he tries to follow Shoko's instructions.
He can feel the energy within him, but it's difficult to control it in such a delicate manner, "Don't force it," Shoko advises, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. "It's like trying to untangle a knot, you need to be patient, careful, and precise."
Kenji takes a deep breath, relaxing his shoulders. He focuses on the injury, feeling the damage with his energy, and then, slowly, he begins to reverse it. The wound closes, the skin knitting back together as if it had never been injured.
Shoko watches with a raised eyebrow, clearly impressed, though she hides it well. "Not bad for your first try."
"Still, don't get cocky. You've got a long way to go before you can even think about tackling something more complicated."
Kenji grins, his confidence returning. "Thanks, Shoko!"
" I knew I could do it with your guidance!" Shoko rolls her eyes again, but there's a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, don't let it go to your head. You've still got a lot of work to do. Come back tomorrow, and we'll try something a bit more challenging."
Kenji nods eagerly, practically bouncing on his feet. "I can't wait! Thanks again, Shoko! You're the best!"
Shoko snorts, shaking her head as she watches him leave. "That kid's gonna be the death of me," she mutters to herself, but there's no malice in her tone, just a touch of affection.
Yuji stared at the stone wall in front of him, his mind numb from the days of isolation. The basement was cold and dark, with only a small lightbulb hanging from the ceiling to chase away the shadows. After everything he'd been through, dying, being resurrected, faking his death, this solitude felt like a punishment.
Even though it was for his safety, the loneliness gnawed at him.
He tried to keep himself occupied with training, meditation, and anything that would keep his mind from wandering too much, but it wasn't enough. The silence was suffocating, and the lack of human contact was starting to weigh on him.
The sound of the basement door creaking open pulled Yuji from his thoughts.
He looked up, seeing Kenji step inside. There was a weariness in Kenji's posture, his usually bright demeanor dulled by exhaustion. It was clear that his training with Shoko had been tough, but there was still a warmth in his gaze when he looked at Yuji.
"Hey, Yuji," Kenji said, offering a small smile. "How are you holding up?"
Yuji shrugged, trying to mask the heaviness he felt. "I'm alright, I guess."
"Just... bored." Kenji frowned slightly, understanding the unspoken feelings behind Yuji's words. The isolation was taking its toll, and something needed to change.
After a moment of consideration, Kenji walked over and crouched down in front of Yuji, his expression thoughtful.
"You know what?" Kenji said, a spark of mischief lighting up his eyes. "I think it's time we got out of here for a bit."
Yuji blinked, caught off guard. "Out? But-"
Kenji stood up, brushing off the concern with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry, I've got something in mind."
"Trust me." He extended a hand to Yuji, who hesitated only for a moment before taking it. Kenji pulled him to his feet, and without another word, led him out of the basement.
They moved quietly, navigating through the labyrinth of hallways until they reached a set of stairs that led up to a large wooden door. When Kenji pushed the door open, Yuji was greeted by a sight he hadn't expected, a vast, lush forest bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. The trees were tall and thick, their leaves a vibrant green that seemed to shimmer in the golden light. The air was fresh and filled with the scent of earth and foliage, a stark contrast to the stale atmosphere of the basement.
Yuji stepped out into the open, his eyes widening as he took in the beauty of the forest. It felt like a completely different world from the one he had been trapped in for days. He turned to Kenji, his heart lifting for the first time in what felt like ages.
"This place... it's incredible," Yuji said, his voice filled with awe.
Kenji grinned, clearly pleased with Yuji's reaction. "Yeah, it's one of the safe spots Gojo set up."
"Figured it would do you some good to get some fresh air."
Yuji takes in the surroundings, and Kenji's expression becomes more focused like he is planning something.
He held out his hands, and Yuji watched as a faint, ethereal light began to gather in Kenji's palms. Slowly, the light coalesced, taking shape as it hovered between Kenji's outstretched hands.
Yuji stepped closer, curiosity piqued. "What are you doing?" Kenji didn't answer right away, concentrating on the forming light. The energy in his hands began to solidify, taking on the shape of a small creature.
Gradually, a tiny, crystalline dragon emerged, its body shimmering like glass. It was no larger than a puppy, with delicate wings that fluttered as it took its first breath. Its eyes, made of vibrant blue crystals, blinked as it looked up at Yuji, letting out a soft, almost melodic chirp.
Yuji's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is that...?"
Kenji nodded, a proud smile on his face. "Meet your new companion."
Sheepishly the older man shifts, "Figured you could use a little friend to keep you company, and it was good practice, took forever to get it right, it's like a shikigami, low grade but still functioning."
The baby dragon hopped around Yuji's feet, its movements playful and full of life. It nuzzled against Yuji's leg, letting out a series of happy chirps that sounded almost like a purring kitten. Yuji couldn't help but laugh, the sound coming from deep within him, shaking off the gloom that had settled over him.
Yuji was still marveling at the baby dragon when Kenji crouched down beside him, a gentle smile on his face.
"You like it, little bro?" Kenji asked, his voice warm and affectionate and it slips out absently, Yuji doesn't even think he noticed. The Words hit him like a wave, and he froze, the simple phrase resonating deeply within him.
'Little bro.' It wasn't just the nickname, it was the way Kenji said it, like Yuji was someone important, someone worth caring about. It had been so long since he'd felt that kind of closeness, that kind of family.
Before he realized what he was doing, Yuji's eyes filled with tears. The overwhelming emotions that he'd been holding back all this time surged to the surface, and in an instant, he lunged at Kenji, wrapping him in a fierce hug.
He buried his face in Kenji's shoulder, holding on like he never wanted to let go. Kenji let out a surprised laugh, though it quickly turned into a strained gasp as Yuji's grip tightened, nearly crushing his ribs.
"Whoa, easy there, Yuji! I still need to breathe, you know!" But Yuji didn't let go, and Kenji could feel the tremors in his shoulders, the way Yuji was clinging to him like a lifeline.
The older sorcerer's expression softened, and he returned the hug as best as he could, gently patting Yuji's back, "It's okay, little bro," Kenji murmured, his voice soothing. "I'm here."
"You're not alone."
A/n:
Gojo needs to chill, but honestly he could mark me all he wanted.
(Omg who said that.)
The Yuji little bro moment came out of no where but god do I find it cute.
Well technically if things go in Sukuna's direction Kenji will be his uncle in law…
The council is gonna want to meet their failed attempt- I mean their infamous sorcerer who survived a special grade.
How will it go with two people who don't respect their authority.
How will Gojo react to them disrespecting his beloved Kenji who could do no wrong.