A/N: ...I'm back, and I'm rather upset.
You see, yesterday's Great Site Disaster wiped out a 10,000 word chapter. Poof. Gone.
I wrote it all in one big burst, had it all ready to go, went to save, and BANG! DNS issue. It completely wrecked yesterday's plans.
The one time I didn't use a word doc and this happens, sheesh. Its a miracle I managed to salvage this much of it from memory. So here we are with something of a double update today; this, and another story.
Not feeling my best with yet another damn HOLE in my side...but I've been watching Hazbin Hotel while recovering. Alastor is...entertaining. Long story short, I had to get a massive swathe of skin on my side cut off the other day because my doctors are concerned and checking for cancer. And when I say cut, I mean CUT as in with several scalpels at once, leaving me in horrendous pain. Now I may need to go back to the hospital and get yet more "pieces" removed which has me stressed out even more. Don't get me started about the bleeding and the bandages. Painkillers aren't helping,
I've since had more pieces carved away on my chest and neck besides. In other words. I. Am. Suffering. Writing distracts me from the pain, if only just.
Meanwhile, this story went and surged past 1,600 hundred reviews very quickly when I wasn't looking, so here we are, ANOTHER early update!
Feedback really does kick me into high gear; if this chapter gets a good reception as well, then I'll do my best to update early once more, as I've been consistently doing for weeks now. Do let me know! In other news...
...thanks again to everyone for the support.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes.
They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
Now then, let us continue.
Timeskip of a day ahead.
"Just because you see a smile, don't assume you know what's going on underneath.
Allow me to suggest a possible scenario. You see him smile. Right at you.
But who is it that's smiling? Is it Naruto? Or perhaps Sukuna?
The difference may well be that of life and death."
~a future scene.
A Dangerous Smile
"You gave me extra time with the brats, back there. Why?"
"Can I not be generous?"
"Braaaat...
The corner of Naruto's mouth twitched as he sauntered down the street after Gojo and Gojo. Not a little, not much; you had to squint to see the smile, yet he knew Sukuna saw it all the same. Saw it and seethed more like; because if there was one thing in this world the King of Curses loathed, it was being left in the dark. He could feel his confusion festering into discontent, followed by anger.
Naruto glanced Riko's way. The girl flinched and scuttled behind her maid. He winced a little despite himself.
It seemed Amanai was proper terrified of him now thanks to Sukuna; he ought to apologize to the poor girl later. She probably wouldn't understand, not really, but he felt an effort needed to be made for decency's sake at least.
"That vessel over there, would you weep if I killed her?"
His gaze strayed to Riko. "Not particularly, no. But it would be inconvenient."
"All the more reason for me to kill her when I regain control, then."
He sighed. "I didn't realize you were this petty, Sukuna."
Regretting our deal already, are we?"
"Not yet." he dodged around a fallen log and grimaced when he saw just how high the stone stairs were, rather, how many they had left yet to go. He hadn't realized the walk to Tengen was so damned long. Almost made him want to swap from the sheer boredom of it, ya know?
"I'll admit, you've been surprisingly thorough." he could almost feel Sukuna's sneer. "But you left a few gaps. How charitable of you...
He felt a stirring of cursed energy in the distance and glanced towards it, idly palming a knife from his sleeve. "Did I?"
"You never said I couldn't slaughter innocents."
He barked a laugh that had the others looking his way. "Is anyone truly innocent? Go ahead. Go nuts."
"Don't test me, boy. I'll do it, you know. I'll massacre everyone I can get my hands on."
"I couldn't care less." he caught sight of a cursed spirit in the treetops above, some mad cross between a cockroach and a crow, and whipped the dagger at it, driving it into the twisted beast's single eye. Someone must have been using it to observe them. No longer it plonked down at his feet and dissolved, dead before it hit the ground. He made a point of stomping on the creature's corpse as he walked by, ignoring the disgusted noise Riko made and the words of praise Satoru sent his way. "If anything it'll give them more of a reason to fear us."
"Spoken like a true curse. You're becoming more like me every day.
"This from the Curse who trained two children yesterday?"
"Only because you made me!"
"Maybe, but it doesn't change our objective." He fought down a grin under Geto's guarded glance, lest the poor fellow think him insane. "We're guarding this girl until she merges with Tengen. Or doesn't." he shrugged a shoulder, recalling the roiling emotions he'd felt radiating off Amanai. "I don't particularly care. "Do you?"
A poignant pause followed.
...hrmph." he could just imagine the king of curses rolling his eyes. "It might be interesting to watch her squirm...and to rip apart those who get in our way."
"Enemies are everywhere, and friends nowhere." he quoted a familiar poem. "To show your true heart is to risk your life."
"Wise words. A shame they won't save you...
A hand settled on his shoulder, distracting him. "Talking to your friend again?"
He looked up to find Gojo grinning down on, prismatic blue eyes peeking through those dark shades of his.
"He's bored today."
"Boo." Satoru smiled, but it seemed more of a pout. "So he hasn't used today's hour, yet? I would've liked to see him fight."
Sukuna cackled harshly in his ear.
"Hopefully you won't. He's itching for some action." He could feel Suguru staring at them and wisely refrained from looking his way. "He gonna be okay?"
"Hmm?" Don't worry about him, he's just a bit of a worrywart-
An indignant sputter lanced through his words. "Satoru! I am not!"
-but he's my best friend." a blue eye winked his way. "We can trust him to keep your secret."
"Ugh, friendship. This is so boring! Lemme kill something, damnit!"
...he's complaining, isn't he?"
Naruto dug a finger in his ear. "Loudly."
"Don't worry." Gojo grinned and let him go to lope ahead. "We're almost there. Won't be long now."
That was precisely what he was afraid of. This escort mission had been easy. Too easy. Evidently Satoru and Suguru had already killed a pair of would be kidnappers prior to meeting up with him at the clan compound, but even so, he'd expected at least some semblance of resistance when they were this close to the proverbial finish line.
But there hadn't been any. No one had challenged them. Not a single, solitary soul.
Why?! It didn't make a lick of sense! There was a massive bounty of Riko's head.
Why hadn't anyone come after them? Was this a trick? A trap? A distraction?
Or perhaps-
Sukuna rasped a laugh.
"You know something, do you?"
"Maybe." came the merry titter. "Don't worry about those cousins of yours. Birds that never learn to fly will never leave the nest."
...you do realize someone's going to jump us soon, right?"
"But of course." Sukuna's smile stilled his soul. "I can see the signs, even if you can't. I wouldn't be opposed to helping you, for a price."
"No, thank you!"
"Then you can cry when the Sorcerer Killer comes."
"Toji?" His brow furrowed and he nearly skipped a step. "Why would he bother?"
He was better now. Not redeemed, not complete, but he was fairly certain he'd gotten through to the surly idiot.
And then Sukuna poured poison in his ear. "He has no quarrel with you, to be sure, but why would he pass up a chance like this? Think about it. A chance to lay low two of Jujutsu High's most talented sorcerers and make off with their precious prize. I'd do it just for shits and giggles. You wouldn't even have to pay me."
...shit. That did sound like something Toji would do.
He bit his lip. "He won't do it."
"So certain!"
"I am." He glanced over his shoulder, checking for any sign of pursuit. There was none. He couldn't sense anyone nearby. If someone was there, they'd done an excellent job at concealing themselves. Surely it wasn't Toji. It couldn't be. "He's got kids to look after; he's not a monster anymore."
"And if by some chance he still is?"
...then I'll trust in Gojo and Geto to fight him off.
"They'll die."
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "No, they won't."
"Do you have that much faith in them? Enough to let them fight him alone?"
His brow furrowed. "I know what you're doing. You're playing to my pride, again."
"Am I?" his voice was he darkest seduction. "You've made enemies in the Jujutsu world, now you're exposed, out of the clan compound, vulnerable...even if that oaf doesn't show up, someone will; someone will come for you. That Hyuuga isn't here, your precious "Medusa" is watching over your cousins, and you're alone."
"With two big 'ol brick walls between me and them." He glanced to Gojo and Geto, smiling a little as they squabbled over something he hadn't heard. "It'll work out. I know it will."
"Naive...
But would they get stronger if they didn't struggle? He grimaced at the though, torn between the idea of power and partnership. Gojo could be so much stronger than he was now, he just knew it. Geto, too. They had all that untapped potential lurking just beneath the surface; all they needed was the right trigger, a nudge, just a push. He didn't want to be the one do that; truly, he didn't. A push was all well and good, but if one pushed too hard they would't bend, but break.
Why did his chest hurt?
Someone screamed behind him.
He looked down, mildly surprised to find a jagged blade jutting out his chest. "What in the...?"
A hand came down atop his head, holding him in place as he coughed blood. He tried to turn, only for his right leg to buckle. When had he been stabbed there?! He hadn't even seen it...?!
"Sorry, kid." An all-too-familiar voice drawled in his ear, fracturing his heart. "I know this won't kill you, but I need you out of the way for a bit while I tie up some loose ends."
He grit his teeth. "Why...?"
"Because you're not ready." four little words, and oh, how easily Toji shattered his faith. "You think you are, but you aren't. Besides, I need to teach these two a lesson. And you...have bigger concerns.
A hand pushed him forward. Someone else grabbed at him before he could recover.
"He's all yours." Toji practically spat the words. "Hope the brat kills you."
Low laughtr answered. "Now, now, I wouldn't be sure...
Everything went sideways.
...the hell...?"
Dimly, through red-tinged vision, he became aware of Gojo lunging forward at Toji with a snarl; of Geto darting away with Amanai and her maid. He lurched their way-
A hand gripped him by the wrist, settled atop his head. "You've gotten sloppy, little brother."
He glimpsed a familiar face not unlike his own, but leaner, sharper, crueler.
Natsuo. His mind recognized the voice and rattled off the words as he gazed upon his captor. Middle child. Specializes in ambush attacks, but otherwise weak. Was he working with him? Was this some kind of twisted test? Was he really this stupid...? He reached for his strength, ready and willing to obliterate him.
Nothing happened.
Sukuna swore. "Ah, crap."
A chill shot down their spines.
He tried to marshal his cursed energy but he couldn't think, couldn't breathe; he lashed out blindly, driving his fist inward.
His arm shattered into a mess of blood and bone.
"The hell...?!"
"Do you like my Reflection technique?" his so-called sibling sneered down at him. "I'm not the same mewling weakling anymore. I've spent years preparing for this moment...biding my time, preparing all the right cards, waiting for you to be alone...to isolate yourself from others...
Gojo cried out in pain somewhere behind him.
Naruto almost looked his way.
No! Focus!
His brother had always been something of an arse, but he hadn't recalled him being particularly powerful. Which meant he must have a cursed tool or...
.
..
...what the hell was that thing?
His baneful brother drew a blade at his side from its sheathe with a flourish, placed both hands upon the hilt and split it apart to reveal a grisly amalgamation of red, fleshy skulls. An eerie noise wafted from their yawning maws to ring painfully in his ears, drawing a line of blood down them. Sukuna snarled inside his head, subjected to the same pain.
That noise! What was that awful noise?! He couldn't think!
Sukuna hissed. "Oi! I haven't used today's hour! Switch!
"No! I can handle this!"
"Do you like it?" Natsuo brandished the baleful blade with a sneer. "Its called the Banshsee Shriek. No matter how agile you are, even you cannot surpass the speed of sound." Another wail went up from the weapon, driving him down to his hands and knees. "Did you think that was the only trinket I had? There has to be a limit! Is what you're thinking, isn't it? Oh, no, Naoya...not at all...
"Brat! Listen to me!"
With his free hand, Natsuo gripped him by his throat and began to squeeze.
"I simply cannot see why all those fools fell to this...lesser version of you." his adversary scoffed and tightened their grip. "But I am not them. And those cousins of yours? We have plans for them-
"Switch!"
Naruto's world went red. His hands scrabbled, numb fingers clawing for a handhold on the arm choking the life out of him. Against all odds, he managed to find one.
"Switch with me, damnit!"
It wasn't enough. Natsuo kept choking him. The world was going grey, he couldn't see, couldn't think...!
"SWITCH WITH ME BEFORE YOU DIE!"
He gave in with a gasp and ceded control. Strength flooded him as Sukuna surged to the fore, reared back and headbutted Natsuo, stunning him. His so-called sibling let go, buying him precious seconds to breathe. As they staggered he clenched his fist.
And he swung.
Sukuna felt it cleanly; the moment their jaw dislocated under the force of his punch. He heard it clearly, his yowl of rage filling the air, shocking the crown into silence. He saw sit clearly; the sheer shock on his adversary's face as they staggered back, rubbing their face. A tooth came free under their thumb; they inspected the bloody molar for a moment before tossing it away, setting their jaw...and smiling.
He actually dared to smile. At him. "There he is...why hello, King of Curses-
The gall of it all. He should know his place. He talked too much.
Sukuna's hand rose with a snarl of a smile.
A single word parted his lips."CLEAVE."
There was blood.
A/N: The ambush is sprung...
...and Sukuna's about to rain hell.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hopefully?
There's more than meets the eye here, as I'm sure you've realized.
Would you prefer weekly updates or monthly ones? Do let me know!
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!
Read at your own risk:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING~!
SPOILERS AWAIT THEE~!
YE BE WARNED~!
(Previews)
Most are condensed to save time and space. SKIP THEM IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED.
Sukuna smiled. You hold your head quite high, foolish boy.
Natsuo howled in pain, gripping his wound.
Damn you!"
Mai Zen'in was no fool.
She wasn't blind to it, not like Maki.
Naoya had a monster inside him.
So she'd played dumb for him and her sister's sake feigned ignorance she didn't trulyHer right ear twitched just so.
She knew soemone was
A hood slammed down over her head.
Yet she
They had impeccable timing, really; they'd chosen to strike when she was alone, isolated. Help was minutes away at best; as far as they were
Unfortunately for them...
Rather than reach for the hood, she slapped her hands together.
"Matatabi~!'
She felt rather than saw her body burst into baleful blue flame.
"You will come with us."
Mai ripped her revolver from her belt and began loading the chamber with bullets.
"Did you not hear me, child?!"
"Hush." she held up a finger. "Almost done."
Her task complete, she closed the chamber and pointed her pistol their way.
"One of these six bullets is special." she smiled, mimicking a shit-eating grin she'd once seen Naoya use. "You feeling lucky punk?"
She mentally pumped a fist.
Yes! She finally got to use that line!
No way was she wasting his gift on a scrub of a kidnapper.
Naruto found Toji standing over Satoru's body.
"What have you done?"
...what was necessary." his uncle flicked his blade clean, idly shedding the blood across its edge. "Whether he lives or dies is up to him. If he's strong, he'll survive. If not, then
"You're not ready. You think you are, but you aren't."
"One final lesson."
Naruto lunged.
"Yuuuuuuta! Its so nice to finally meet you!"
"Humans, curses, demons, they're all the same thing in the end, really.
Everybody wants something in this life. There are no exceptions.
The key, my dear, is figuring out what that something is.
And once you've attained that knowledge...
...then the advantage becomes yours.
That is why Naoya will die.
My brother is soft.
WEAK."
"He may be, but I'm not."
"What the-who the devil are you?!"
"SUCH A POOR CHOICE OF WORDS."
Yo. I hear you need a fifth member."
"And you are...?"
The young man cracked his knuckles.
"Oi, now." his eyes began to glow. "That's my friend. GET YOUR FILTHY MITTS OFF HER."
"Listen to yourselves! Have you all bothered to think about what kind of person you're trying to curse?!
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! Looking forward to your feedback~!
Hope you have a great day,
~Nz.