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Life on the Itadori farm was rather borning to say the least. Hours away from any town, completely isolated by the thicket of the woods. It was at the very least peaceful. Well unless the elder Itadori twin had something to complain about. But, it wasn not as though Yuuji could be too upset with his brother. Most of the year Sukuna was the only company he had, the only person he had to talk to. Of course this was during the growing season the twins were alone on the farm.
Once spring and fall came around the duo without make their way down to their local village to sell their produce and goods. Life here was peaceful, yet so very boring. Especially to their newest spectator. A beast of the woods. Known as a creature of lore and mythology. A hybrid. A humanoid monster that stalked through the forest awaiting some poor sap to get lost so that they may devour them. These stories had been passed down the generations. Told from weary mother’s lips to protect her children from the unknown.
The reality was much more strange. This so called monster was neither man nor beast. Something more akin to a spirit. However the hunting of human souls was a commonplace for these creatures. Anything that did harm to their home was considered fair game for fresh meat. These humans, while keeping mainly to themselves, had taken quite a bit of land for both cattle and crops. Encroaching on his territory. How their hubris has been allowed to overgrow like throned thicket. Only gaining to pierce their own skin.
For the past three months Yuuji had complained to his brother Sukuna of being watched while feeding the cows. This worry was shrugged off as a hungry fox or possibly a large cat. While Yuuji was advised to be careful he was told not to give too much concern towards the new paranoia. They couldn't risk not taking care of their biggest meat producers on the farm. Let alone for their milk, cheese and butter. Therefore back out the younger twin went. A bag of feed over his shoulder. His body was built for the work he had to endure from such a young age.
Muscles stacked upon one another as the pink haired man smiled to his bovine pets. Calling out to them with a whistle. Alerting them and his new hunter to his presence. Yuuji felt his skin crawl with this same anxiety. He took a deep breath as he rolled his shoulders back, forcing his tense muscles to relax. Refusing to give in to whatever annoying pest that had decided to watch his daily feeding ritual. With the feed now moved from his shoulder to his arm he started to rip the top off the bag and dump it into the trough as the cattle came trotting up. With their large size most were rather gentle giants. Only one or two would nudge Yuuji in an inpatient huff to get the trough filled quicker.
“Whoa hey, I'm going as fast as I can girls. No shoving.” Yuuji chastised as he gently shoved one of the bovine’s head off his arm. Only gaining a snortt and head bob in response. Leaving the man to smile and chuckle. “So sassy.” While he knew well he was simply talking to himself it made the day go by just a bit quicker. At least it seemed to.
It also kept his mind off the eyes on him. The ones that peered from the tree line. At least Yuuji had ruled out a big cat, if it was something so monsterous the cattle wouldn't even approach him. It had to be something smaller, like a fox or a deer. Yuuji gave a slight mental nod to his own conclusion. Even if only to help his mind relax. Once the cows had their feed Yuuji started back towards the barn. The bags could be reused for other things around. Including hauling minor back to the crops. Since Sukuna and Yuuji were so far from town they had to reuse as much of the resources they had at hand. Nothing could be wasted.
With the barn door left open just a crack Yuuji started to put up the torn bags, he also began to get supplies for the chicken coop. The big job for that day was to rewire around the area. By what Sukuna had told him they had been sneaking out, becoming a nuisance to the crops. Devouring any berries or corn they could reach. Maybe it was time to start having chicken for dinner in Yuuji's humble opinion. The aggravation was enough to drive any man to the brink of frustration.
Yuuji hummed a small tune as he started to clean up the stacks tossed about. Pieces of cloth and hay littered the ground. Claw marks embedded deep into the wood. Possibly from the escape artist chickens that had decided that the barn was a wonderful place to raid. Yuuji held back a slight frown as he knelt down. Picking up the tattered bag pieces, the only light in the building came from the rafters and the cracked door. The stream of golden glory did not last unfortunately. With his back to the door, at the back of the building the door slammed. Causing Yuuji to damn near jump out of his skin.
With a quick whip around Yuuji was on his feet, golden eyes cast towards the now shut door and piles of hey beside it. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as adrenaline buzzed over his nerves. Crawling like insects just under the surface of his sun kissed skin.
“Sukuna?... come on that's not funny!” Yuuji called as his fingers gripped tightly into fists. Hs shoulders squared as he took a deep breath. Puffing out his chest to look bigger. Yuuji started his way to the door. “If you are just going to mess with me you can fix the chicken coop!”
Yet no response was given to his antics. Which only caused a brush of both annoyance and unease. Yet Yuuji tried his best to think rationally. It could have just been the wind right? It was getting closer to spring and the storms had been on the horizon. Yuuji was just on edge with this strange feeling, nothing more. His fingers smoothed over his own shirt as an anxious tick. He took some slow steps towards the door, his hands on his hips as his eyes cast about. Nothing. He reminded himself on how silly he must look yelling at himself in an empty barn.
Though as he turned back towards the middle to retrieve his supplies and be on his way he heard it. Just the slightest creak of wood above his head. The soft whine of the old barn roof taking up some weight. Yuuji looked up expecting to see one of their escaped chickens hanging about, ready to taunt him. Yet he was met with a set of crystal blue eyes. The pupils slit in thin black lines in a pool of glacier ice. It was as threatening as it was breathtaking.
Yuuji barely had time to flinch before the beast had lunged forward. The entire weight of this being fell upon the human. While it seemed lanky from a glance, it's form mostly hidden by that of a white komono with cyan blue accents, it held strength unimaginable by any man. It's claws dug deep into Yuuji's wrist as its towering mass loomed over the human. While it was human in form and face, that white hair held black spotted ears, with a massive tail to match swayed behind it.
“Ah, finally caught you.” The beast cooed as soft pink lips pulled into a grin, only to show off sharpened teeth. White lashes framed his eyes as they half lidded. He leaned further down, ignoring the helpless thrashing from the pink haired man in his clutches. His nose inches from his hair as he took a deep inhale. “You're not the angry one are you? Damn that's disappointing.”
“Let me go!” Yuuji hissed as he tried to thrash, but it was as if he was fighting a brick wall “what do you want with my brother?” Yuuji demanded, his teeth clenched as his lips curled up. Trying to show his disdain for the situation. The snow leopard-like being only seemed to enjoy the bit of fight. Like a cat with a wounded mouse his tail swayed behind him.
“Aw, you're too cute aren't you? Just relax I'm not going to hurt you. But I do need that brother of yours. So you're stuck here until he comes looking.” The man purred as he leaned in more, his face mere inches from Yuuji's as he stared into his eyes. His chin rested against his chest as he kept Yuuji against the hard flooring of the barn.
“Eh- what? You never answered why you even want Sukuna.” Yuuji challenged as he finally stopped struggling. How this creature could look so svelte. He would be beautiful if it was in any other circumstances.
“Sukuna is his name huh? And what is yours pretty boy? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” The beast purred, his eyes half lidded as he stared up at his new prey. His tongue ran across his own teeth. Already Yuuji was regretting telling him his brother's name.
“Y-Yuuji… it's Yuuji Itadori. Look if you are some strange forest spirit or fae creature please leave my brother alone. I don't know what he did to offend you but I'll appease it on his behalf.” Yuuji knew better than to give his name to any sort of fae being. But he felt as though he had no other choice once he so freely gave his brother’s
“How generous of you Yuuji. You should know I've been watching you for a while. Both if you.” The man smirked before he moved back to hovering over him, now with their faces inches apart. “My name is Satoru Gojo. I'm the spirit of these woods. Your brother has been hunting well past his means. Destroying the animals for sport. I can't let that continue.”
“O-okay Satoru! I can definitely keep him from killing anything else. Just leave it up to me alright?” Yuuji promised the spirit. His breath was already hitching as Satoru moved both his wrists into one hand above his head. Causing Yuuji to gasp, his face began to heat up with the closeness of the man. Their chests pressed flushed to one another, their lips inches apart. As if this beast planned on kissing him. They looked soft, yet held sharpened fangs. Such beauty was dangerous in many ways.
“You're much too sweet for this place.” Satoru muttered, his lips were so close Yuuji could feel his breath tickle just his lips and chin. His heart rate quickened, humming loudly in his ears. So loud Yuuji could barely focus on what was going on around him. Nothing but Satoru. “We could make a deal, I take you back with me and I don't touch that dear brother of yours. How does that sound?”
“I can't just leave him alone. I'm all he has left.” Yuuji spoke up quickly, maybe a bit too zealous as his own lips brushed against Satoru's. His breath caught in his throat, making the spirit smirk and snicker. He leaned in closer to Yuuji's left ear, speaking in a soft, melodic tone. It urged the man to relax, let his guard down. If only for a few moments.
“That's okay, I'll let you visit whenever you like. I just don't need this little ray of sunshine being coveted by anyone else.” Satoru spoke in a nearly possessive tone. His tongue jutted out to lick across the shell of his ear. Causing the flustered man under him to wince and curl away slightly.
“Ah- hey Satoru!” Yuuji attempted to chastise only to have the spot where his ear and neck meet to be nipped as a protest. Not wanting to allow Yuuji to get away from him. At least not unmarked. “H-how about instead of me going with you, I let you stay here! Does that sound better? I'll even let you take the spare bed in my room. It used to be mine and Sukuna's when we were young so you can take his old bed.”
This seemed to catch the spirit’s attention. His lust for such a genuine soul to take for himself was interrupted. The idea of such a being lounging about in a small farm home was comical. Ironic even considering the shrines more well known beasts had built for them. A bubble of laughter welled up in Satoru's throat before spilling past his lips loudly.
“You want me to stay with you? Like some sort of pet?” Satoru spoke through fits of laugher. He shook his head before leaning down once more closer to Yuuji, nosing right under his chin as one of those fluffy cat-like ears brushed upon him. “I accept.”
“What?” Yuuji barely muttered as his wrists were released. Satoru wrapped his arms right around the human to pull him up with him. “Y-you're serious right? No hurting Sukuna, or any other ulterior motives?”
“Nope, well besides getting close to you.” Satoru purred as he nudged and nuzzled himself up against the younger Itadori brother. His chest vibrated with the loudest, deepest purr Yuuji had ever heard in his life.
There was hesitation, but slowly Yuuji raised a hand to softly place it upon that soft white hair. Running his fingers through what felt to be silk and a cloud mixed within one. Yuuji bit at his own lip as he weighed his options. Truth be told he was just throwing things out there to not get kidnapped by a fae beast that had his full name. Now he somehow has a pet forest beast that seems to have quite the thing for him. How the fuck does this even happen?
With the awkward silence feeling the room, apart from Gojo’s very loud and deep purrs, Yuuji felt as though this couldn't get any worse. That was when the large set of doors Yuuji was still only feet from began to open. Satoru had already wrapped himself around Yuuji, that massive fluffy spotted tail held right around his waist while pale arms held over his shoulders.
“Yuuji the coop still isn- what the fuck is that?” Sukuna asked quickly, wine colored eyes narrowed at the beast. As if debating on weather his eyes could possibly be playing tricks on him or not. While Yuuji and Sukuna were identical, there were some features that set them apart. Not only were their eyes a different color, but Sukuna had tattoos on his wrists and his hair slicked back.
“Uh… I got a pet cat?” Yuuji tried, half expecting to be bitten for calling a forest spirit a pet cat. But Satoru did nothing of the sort. His grip actually tightened around Yuuji, as if to show that he wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.