Chapter Text
Yuuji and Sukuna were currently watching the fireworks in the sky. They were wearing kimonos, Sukuna was eating takoyaki while Yuuji was holding dango.
“Kuna-nii!” Six year old Yuuji called. He closes his fists and leaves his pinky open.
“What is it, Yuu?”
“Promise me!”
Yuuji looks at him with the biggest smile that Sukuna has ever seen, his light rivals those of the fireworks that bloomed in the night sky.
“Promise me that we’ll be together forever!”
“I promise!”
The two brothers intertwines their pinky fingers. Yuuji leans on his shoulder and in return, Sukuna pats his head.
Together forever?
Together forever.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
Sukuna just turned thirteen years old when he spotted a box with a old photo album. Gramps hasn’t talked about their mother before, only their father. So, can you blame him when he decided to open the box without permission? He lacked knowledge of the Jujutsu world in this time. Though, he did had his cursed technique.
He flips through the pages and thankfully, his mothers face can be seen. She had black hair in a bob cut with her bangs swept on the side, her eyes were a golden amber. So that’s where the brat got his freaky eyes from.
Though, her eyes seems more normal compared to Yuuji’s? Eh, whatever, maybe they also glowed in the dark, it’s just not shown.
Welcome to the world, Sukuna! ♥️ Love, mom and dad. A handwritten note was under the sentence.
The photo shows Kaori Itadori holding a crying, baby Sukuna with Jin Itadori looking at his first born son with awe. Kaori’s eyes were sparkling and her face was devoid of any scars.
They looked really, really happy.
Sukuna taking his first steps. My baby is growing so fast!
Baby Sukuna had his arms spread wide open as he tries to come to Jin, his eyebrows were furrowed, his lips are pursed. He appears to be concentrated (He’s also having difficulty.)
On the left side of the photo album, it shows Kaori and Jin watching the sunset. Kaori and Jin in the beach with Sukuna playing in the sand. Jin sleeping in the couch while holding Sukuna. Kaori feeding Sukuna and struggling. Wasuke and Kaori having a conversation while he’s holding a squirming Sukuna.
Watching the sunset with my wonderful husband! He’s so sweet.
Going to the beach with my family, Jin doesn’t seem as sleep deprived as before. Sukuna also had fun and cried when we were leaving!
Jin and Sukuna sleeping in the couch. Time goes so fast.
Jin making fun of my struggles.
Spending time with my father-in-law! Sukuna seems very bored.
A few more photos of baby him was shown and Sukuna smiled, he wonders why gramps kept this hidden.
The last photo on this page was Kaori and Jin on their wedding day.
I’m glad I got to meet you, Jin.
Sukuna’s face contorted in disgust as he sees the sappy messages that were written. Ugh. That’s corny as hell!
As Sukuna browses through the pages in the photo album, he sees something that caught his attention. The moment the brat was born.
Jin was holding his wife’s and Sukuna’s hand as Kaori cradles Baby Yuuji to her chest. She had the same hair as before but now, she possessed stitches in her forehead and her eyes were not as vibrant as before. Her eyes were... empty, except for the amusement(?) that could be seen. The photo was colored so it was clear that she was paler in here compared to the previous ones.
The photo was absent of notes. That’s strange. He thought that Yuuji’s eyes were strange but endearing but for her? There wasn’t any endearing qualities at all. Her gaze was rather haunting for a sweet moment.
There were fewer photos taken by Kaori here rather than before, as the quality was lessened. Kaori’s face was also barely seen in these photos. The photos taken by Kaori were centered around Yuuji’s moments, with Wasuke and Jin popping out here and there. Sukuna was also there sometimes (With Jin being the one to take the photo.)
The sappy comments were missing, they were nowhere to be found. What the hell is going on? Something is wrong here.
The photos are appealing to look at in the surface level but clearly, there is something missing here.
Bright eyes.
No stitches.
Sappy notes.
Empty haunting eyes.
Stitches across her forehead.
Absent of sappy notes.
What the hell is happening here? It doesn’t help that it only happened when Yuuji was born, not when Sukuna was.
What happened to Kaori Itadori? Why does she look like a corpse? Why did that only happen when Yuuji was born? Who was it? Was it Kaori at all or someone wearing her skin? He regrets complaining about the sappy comments.
“Oi, Sukuna, what are you doing here?”
Sukuna turns around and he sees gramps with his usual scowl. Shit, I didn’t notice him. He tries to play off the photo album but Wasuke’s all seeing eyes caught on to it.
He's not angry though. Rather, his eyes had a gentle, soft spark with guilt, sadness and grief lingering in his eyes.
“Tsk. Where did you find that photo album, boy?” Wasuke raises his eyebrow.
Sukuna leans on the wall and lazily waves the photo album around, “Oh? I have found it in this random box. When did O-kaasan got these strange stitches across her forehead?” He mimics a line across his forehead.
Wasuke sighs, “Come with me to the kitchen. I’m going to tell you about your parents.”
They walk to the kitchen, with the photo album still in hand.
Sukuna taps his foot as he waits for Wasuke’s response, Wasuke hands were clenched and he’s a lot less straightforward and direct, he’s clearly deep in thought.
“Oi, remember when I told you and Yuuji that your parents died in an accident.”
“Yeah.”
“The truth is, Kaori was the only one who got into an accident. I... When Kaori was declared dead in the hospital, the next day... She was suddenly there, acting like nothing happened and that everything was fine. ” He slams his fist on the table,
“For- For god’s sake, she was declared dead! I tried warning and talking to Jin for him to leave her but he was an idiot. He didn’t listen. He was too infatuated, too deep in his grief. The disrespect for my daughter-in-law... That was before Yuuji was born, so, when your brother was born...” He trails off.
Sukuna was quiet so Wasuke took that as a sign to keep talking, “I... I visited more often to watch over the two of you. That woman... that was a monster wearing her skin. It killed Kaori along with Jin, i’m sure as hell of that.”
He inhales and stares at Sukuna with fire dancing in his eyes. “So listen to me boy, if you or Yuuji sees someone with stitches on their forehead, run. Don’t engage with that thing, am I clear? ”
He huffs and shakes his head, ending the tale.
What. The. Fuck? Sukuna had a blank gaze and his jaw dropped as the gears worked in his mind to process, well, everything. His mother was dead and her body was... worn? Her body was used as a mere puppet? Then what, it was used to have sex and give birth? What the fuck? What the fuck!?!?
“Hah!? What the- Ya serious, ojichan!? Shit, I need to tell Yuuji about-“
“Don’t.”
“What? But they are his parents, too! He deserves to know.”
“He’s not ready. He’s too young.”
“But-“
“YOU CAN TELL HIM TO AVOID THE ONE WITH STITCHES, BUT NOT THIS!” He yells and Sukuna stiffens.
“Tsk. Stupid grandson, do you think he’ll understand immediately? When the time comes, I’ll tell him about it. Besides, he doesn’t care about his parents.”
While Sukuna was curious, Yuuji was the opposite. Weird, it’s supposed to be the other way around. Perhaps he just wants his self made image of his parents. Blissful ignorance. How foolish.
He leans on his chair, “I understand, ojichan. This is fucked up. Like, what the hell?” He rubs his chin,
“Wait. Is that perhaps the reason why Yuuji has those weird glowy cat eyes and small fangs?” Not only that, there’s also his superhuman speed.
Wasuke mutters curses under his breath before he answers, “Very likely. That damn woman...” He stands up from his chair, “Even so, he’s still your brother.” And he’s still my grandson, goes unsaid.
“Tsk, who do ya think I am, ojichan? I am not going to change the way I treat him, whether the brat is human or not.”
Satisfied, Wasuke nods, “Take ya time, boy. I know how complicated this whole thing first. But i’ll be always there for ya two, ‘kay?”
“Got it.”
Yuuji’s kindness and annoying self sacrificing tendencies that bordered on suicidal makes him more human than the rest.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
Despite the shocking revelation, Yuuji and Sukuna lived a fairly normal life. Not until when a annoying Kakashi rip off wannabe approached him when he was seen exorcising a fly head with his technique. He still doesn’t know about what cursed spirits and techniques were called, which is ironic considering he knew how to use his technique and knew the problem the cursed spirits caused.
“Sigh. Alright then, I will join you.”
Life goes on when Sukuna goes to Jujutsu Tech, when Yuuji enters high school. Sukuna may have a dangerous, thrilling life but it’s fitting for him. He likes it. It’s in his nature to enjoy and bask in the feelings of adrenaline coursing through your veins as you see another day.
Meanwhile, it’s in Yuuji and Wasuke’s nature to enjoy a normal, average and mundane life in Sendai. With adrenaline coursing through his veins only when he beats up a bunch of bullies and not worrying about being able to see another day.
Not until when grandpa died and Yuuji still remained ignorant of his parents’ origins.
Not until when Fushiguro Megumi was assigned to find a cursed object in Sendai.
Not until when Yuuji’s little occult club was in danger and attracted cursed spirits.
Not until when Yuuji arrived in Sugisawa High School, decided to aid Fushiguro in fighting cursed spirits and in saving his friends.
And not until when Yuuji swallows a cursed object and comes out with an abundance of cursed energy and alive and breathing.
Sukuna wasn’t even there to witness it. He only knew thanks to Gojo’s input.
“Brat! You’re not a one year old anymore and yet you still decide to eat things that aren’t supposed to be eaten! You’re a fucking idiot!” He smacks him in the head and Yuuji pouts.
“Ow!” He winces and the lightheartedness in this current situation was replaced when Yuuji spoke up.
“I’m sorry aniki, it’s just... I wanted to save Fushiguro, Sasaki-senpai and Iguchi-senpai. I just couldn’t leave them alone, you know? If I just went home then, I’d be having nightmares, knowing that I could have done something. That I could have helped.”
This brat... He sighs and ruffles his younger brother’s hair, “You foolish brat. You are too selfless for your own good.”
Yuuji sheepishly rubs his own neck, “Hehe... I’m just doing what everyone else would do.”
Sukuna flicks him in the forehead.
“Hey! What was that for!?”
“Tsk.”
He gestures for Yuuji to follow him and he doesn’t question it. Internally, Sukuna is worried as he spent two years as a Jujutsu Sorcerer and this job is not pretty. This society and job can and will break you. Your humanity will be stripped off and you will be forced to be a soldier while you watch your comrades slowly fade away. It’s a tragic, thankless job.
Damn it brat, why did you swallow it?
As he said earlier, he is too selfless for his own good. Jujutsu Society is going to break him and Sukuna is not prepared for that. He’s not prepared for his brother to slowly break as his comrades drop like flies. He’s not prepared to see his brother losing the light in his eyes. He’s not ready for him to be molded into a cog. The brat- Yuuji should have remained blissfully ignorant.
He should have tried harder to push him away from this grim world. He should have been faster, stronger and-
If Yuuji didn’t absorbed the cursed object, if the Six Eyes Freak or rather Kakashi wannabe wasn’t there (As much as annoying he is)... He could have died.
Damn it.
“Aniki, what’s wrong?” He tilts his head in confusion. Curse this brat’s perceptiveness despite his dumbassery.
“Nothing, brat. Just thinking.”
Sukuna inserts a coin into the vending machine and takes ice tea for himself. Yuuji then soon catches up and orders a coca cola. Tssss-k, POP! He flips it open and chugs the can of soda in one go.
Sukuna’s body was tense, compared to Yuuji’s laid back one. He always had a scowl present in his face but now, his eyes possessed the gnawing feelings of regret.
“You know you can talk to me, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know that, brat.”
Yuuji sighs, “Man. You’re really ‘emotionally constipated’”.
Sukuna glares daggers at him, his regrets earlier forgotten, replaced by anger and annoyance. “Is that so, you little shit?”
Yuuji smirks, “You know i’m right, aniki!”
“You- Come back here!”
Yuuji runs away from him and Sukuna tries to catch him, which is idiotic of him really. Yuuji can literally outrun a *car*. So, unfortunately, his efforts were useless to say the least.
Yuuji wasn’t exhausted at all meanwhile Sukuna was panting and sweating buckets. He’s going to kill Yuuji for this.
His plans were delayed when white hair and a blindfold came into his view. There he is again, great. Absolutely fucking great.
“Yuuji-kun♪ Sukuna-kyun♪ How are you holding up?”
“Oh? Gojo-sensei!”
Yuuji lights up while Sukuna grumbles, “What are you doing here, Kakashi wannabe?”
“You wound me, Sukuna-kyun! Oh and i’m here to talk with my brand new student~♪”
“Ugh...Whatever, I’m leaving.”
Sukuna starts to walk away but Yuuji calls for him, “Wait, aniki! Wanna come with?”
As Sukuna went with Yuuji to the crematorium, Gojo was outside which is something he is grateful for. Ojichan. He couldn’t even say goodbye, if only he wasn’t in a mission that day.
“Ojichan told me to help others so that when I die, I’m surrounded by people.” Yuuji turns his head to Sukuna,
“He also told me that you should take care of yourself and accept help from others.”
Sukuna dryly chuckles, “That old man...” his voice sounded fond and soft.
Yuuji smiles as the two brothers reminisced about the earlier days, where everything was simple and peaceful. It was nice while it lasted. “I’m glad he died a proper death.”
A proper death? Was it because he died naturally and peacefully, rather than having a painful one? “Me too, brat.”
A lingering steady and warm presence can be felt as they talked about the old times and memories they shared.
A proper death, huh?
“Are you okay, aniki?”
“...Yeah. I will be.”
No Jujutsu Sorcerer dies without regrets.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
As time passed by, Yuuji, Fushiguro and Kugisaki grew stronger. They can even defeat grade one cursed spirits on their own! Which is great! They didn’t have any missions today.
So, to celebrate their upcoming promotion, Yuuji decided to cook his signature dish: Ginger Chicken Meatballs. Or as he likes to call it, Itadori Yuuji’s legacy!
He softly hums as he prepares the ingredients, for the meatballs...
5 dried shiitake mushrooms 25g, rehydrated and chopped
1 lb ground pork
1 egg
1 inch knob of ginger grated
3 large cloves of garlic minced
2 whole scallions finely chopped
3 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
3 tsp GF soy sauce
4 tsp GF oyster sauce
Carrots
Green onions
Then, for the broth...
6 cups dashi broth or water with 3 tsp of instant dashi
3 Tbsp mirin
4 Tbsp GF soy sauce
2 tbsp white miso
“Alright! That’s all I need.” Yuuji claps his hands, satisfied that everything is in order.
Before he starts chopping though, he sees black hair and long eyelashes at the corner.
“Oh, Fushiguro!” He cheerfully waves at him.
“Itadori? Are you cooking?” Fushiguro walks towards him and Yuuji nods.
“Yep! It’s been a long time since I cooked, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah... It is.” Fushiguro nods.
“You can sit there while-“
“Can I help?” Fushiguro blurted with his ears turning into a colorful shade of red. His stoic demeanor was overthrown with a shy one.
Yuuji blinks at him before he beams. “Sure! Why not? You’re a great and reliable cook after all, Fushiguro. Here, slice the carrots and green onions for me.”
Fushiguro follows Yuuji’s instructions with care and precision. He still remembers the time where Yuuji taught him how to cook and he’s well, grateful. It’s nice trying out something new, Gojo’s cooking is also terrible, a blasphemy.
It's nice. It’s domestic, really. A chance to be an ordinary teenager...
The sound of boiling and slight clanging of metal can be heard until the two boys were done. Now, they just needed to shape the meatballs. Soon after, they dropped it into the broth and they waited for it to simmer in ten to fifteen minutes.
In those minutes, they spent it either talking or playing with their phones.
It was time to put the vegetables in and they have to wait again. Good thing both Fushiguro and Yuuji were patient. And tada! Now they’re done.
Fushiguro helped with setting the plates while Yuuji carried the rice and ginger chicken meatballs to the table.
With how good the food smells, it’s no wonder Kugisaki and the second years immediately appeared. Gojo was thankfully, away and in a mission.
They were sitting and talking with each other until he appears...
“Oi, brat, what is that smell?”
It’s Itadori Sukuna in the flesh. One of the third years in here, his uniform was slung over his shoulders. He is leaning in the door way.
Sukuna walks towards them and Maki looks annoyed while Panda and Inumaki doesn’t seem to mind. Kugisaki was still talking to Fushiguro, though it seems one sided.
“Oh, aniki! Fushiguro and I cooked meatballs! We were actually going to eat right now. Feel free to join.” Yuuji chirps.
Sukuna spares one last glance to Fushiguro and Yuuji as he drags a chair and sits in the center. The idle chatter and laughter continued, which is nice.
“Hm, interesting. Not bad at all, brat.”
To others this may seem like a backhanded compliment but for Yuuji, it means a lot considering that while Yuuji is sometimes called the Reincarnation of Mirko Cro Cop, Sukuna is more like the reincarnation of Gordon Ramsay.
“Thank you, aniki!” Instead of speaking in Japanese, Yuuji says it in English. He may or may not have spent too much time talking with Todo.
Speaking of Todo...
“My brother!” Todo ran to Yuuji and they shook each other’s hands. Todo seems proud while Yuuji seems awkward.
“Uh, yo, besto friendo-“
“Oi, brat.”
“Aniki?”
“Ah, you must be my brother’s brother. It’s been a while, Itadori Sukuna. What’s your type of woman?”
Sukuna raises his eyebrows and looks at them with confusion and irritation, a tick mark can be seen in his forehead. “Hah? Brother? Didn’t you just met!? And for the last time, Todo, i am not interested in answering you. I do not care about such foolish questions.”
“It is not ‘foolish’ as you put it! For a person’s type of girls reflects everything about them but until now you have not answered my question-“
“Brat, how did you even become friends with this idiot? Is it because of the fact that you’re an idiot as well?”
“Hey!” Yuuji protests.
“My brother and I have been together since Middle School. I can’t believe you don’t know that. I thought you are my brother’s brother.”
“What the- The two of you just met!? You don’t even know who our grandfather was-“
“Mister Wasuke Itadori.”
“What.”
“Wait what?” Yuuji was confused as well. Maybe they were classmates...?
Yuuji chuckles as he thinks of that time.
“Bakadori.” Kugisaki calls and Yuuji snaps his head towards her.
“Between you and Itadori-senpai, who’s the better cook?” Kugisaki asks with curiosity and mischief reflected in her eyes.
“Me.”
“Of course, it’s me.”
Sukuna and Yuuji answered at the same time. They look towards each other and began their usual brotherly bickering, this time, there were fierceness reflected in their eyes. Sukuna’s smugness and Yuuji’s calmness has now melted.
“BRAT! OBVIOUSLY IT’S ME!”
“NO! I’M THE BETTER COOK!”
“JUST BECAUSE YOU COOK MORE OFTEN THAT DOESN’T MAKES YOU THE ‘BETTER ONE’!”
“HEY! SAYS THE ONE WHO CAN’T EVEN BAKE!”
“I KNOW HOW TO BAKE YOU FOOL! I ONLY FUCKED UP ONE TIME, ONE TIME!”
“YEAH BUT AT LEAST I HAVEN’T FUCKED UP IN BAKING BEFORE!”
“SHUT UP YOU BRAT, YOU LITERALLY BURNT WATER. WHILE COOKING PASTA. HOW CAN YOU BURN WATER, I DID NOT THINK THAT WAS POSSIBLE UNTIL NOW!”
Yuuji raised his hands in surrender and dramatically sighs with a pout, “Sheesh, man. You got me.”
With Maki and Kugisaki, along with Panda were entertained in the background. Especially Inumaki with the exception of a uninterested Fushiguro who’s only staying in the table due to his politeness.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
Today, Yuuji and Sukuna were assigned on a mission to defeat two grade one curses and while Sukuna can easily complete this mission immediately, it was also a rescue mission.
That’s where he comes into play. Now that Yuuji thinks of it, it also makes sense considering that Yuuji is a lot more friendlier compared to Sukuna’s prickly personality.
Doesn’t help that he speaks like a Japanese Shakespeare. (He once told Sukuna about it and he ended up getting flicked in the forehead twice.)
“Yosh! Let’s do this!” Yuuji hypes himself up.
Sukuna rolls his eyes, “Whatever. Let’s get started. Let’s split up, I go left and you shall go right. You will also be in charge of rescuing those who were unfortunately caught in the crossfire.”
Yuuji mock salutes, “Got it, aniki! Though... should we really be splitting up?”
“Coward.”
“Fine! Jeez, you’re so mean to me.” Yuuji whines.
Sukuna ignores him and the two brothers split up. What could ever go wrong?
“Dismantle.”
He found the grade one cursed spirits and it wasn’t difficult to deal with it. How boring. They should have sent Yuuji’s classmates instead. It does make sense though, Fushiguro Megumi and Kugisaki Nobara were sent on a mission.
Now that he thinks of it, it’s weird. Why were they sent on a mission without Gojo and Yuuji?
He kicks a rock and when the cursed spirit is still walking and breathing, he walks towards, infuses his foot with cursed energy and steps on it repeatedly. No point using dismantle or cleave, it would be just a waste. A pointless endeavor.
What a waste. He thought as he watches the cursed spirit dissipate. Alright, now it’s time to find the brat. He walks away and he hears the sound of shouting and punching... Wasn’t there supposed to be around only around two cursed spirits to exorcise? What was going on? Didn't he just defeat them?
The civilians were thankfully, safely evacuated so one less trouble to worry about. He ran towards the source of the sound, from there he sees Yuuji carrying a child and an injured elderly woman on his shoulder while dodging the cursed spirit’s attacks.
Oh, a higher grade one? What is it doing here?
He sends a dismantle along it’s way and the cursed spirit shifts it focus from Yuuji to him. Perfect. He finally has a challenge.
“Aniki! You’re here! I don’t know why it’s here, it just appeared out of nowhere!”
Sukuna strikes the cursed spirit and the cursed spirit claws him in return. The cursed spirit was a giant golden orb weaver arachnid, who possessed humanoid characteristics with its long hair and kimono, along with its shape. Despite that, it was obvious that it’s not human due to it’s eight arms, fuzzy skin and it’s empty four eyes.
“A Jorōgumo rip off?” Sukuna taunted as the spider curse sends a web towards his way.
When he looks back, Yuuji has already ran away and left with the civilians. Good.
“Let us use the space around us, what do you think?”
“HUN...GRY!”
The spider curse extends it’s eight arms to charge at Sukuna with it’s claws but Sukuna slices it before it can do any harm.
Sukuna goes behind the spider curse and sends a punch infused with slices from cleave which made the spider curse scream in agony.
“GET...AWAY!”
The spider curse heals, forms an orb around it’s hands and throws it at Sukuna, which then explodes into a bunch of spider webs.
Sukuna dodges it but even so, he still feels sluggish and weakened... Higher grade one my ass, this is a special grade. At least he can finally be entertained. It’s been a while since he had any actual challenges.
He raises his hand, points it and repeatedly slices the spider curse but alas, it absorbs the cursed energy and uses it to regenerate. What an interesting curse. He can get used to this.
“So, you absorb your opponent’s cursed energy and use it to heal yourself?”
“DON’T...CARE...”
“How disrespectful of you. Know your place, fool.”
He punches and kicks the spider curse but before he can perform another combo- It grabs onto his arm and throws him away to the wall.
Sukuna coughs as the dust gathers and goes insides his lungs. He multiplies his cursed energy, causing his RCT to kick in and have his wound closing in.
The spider curse slowly approaches him-
Before it’s chest got pierced by a hand with claw like nails protruding out of it. Yuuji, his mind supplied. Enraged, the spider curse blindly attacks him but Yuuji punches it in the jaw.
Momentarily in a daze, Yuuji runs to Sukuna.
“I’m fine, brat.” He stands up on his own two feet.
The spider curse is damaged now.
Sukuna grins as they approached it, a great opportunity to further hone his skills in hand to hand combat. Let us see how this goes.
The spider curse forms an orb and throws it at them and instead of Sukuna dodging it like last time, he slices it in half and watches as it explodes without hitting them.
Yuuji charges after the spider curse and kicks it, Sukuna follows suit and they tag teamed the spider curse for a bit until-
Oh no.
The spider curse forms a hand sign and...
“DO...MAIN...EXPANSION...PAGODA...OF...THE...GOLDEN...SPIDER...!”
The landscape was replaced by a pagoda and endless walls surrounded by grandiose golden walls and cob webs that formed various patterns.
Domain Expansion: Pagoda Of The Golden Spider features a landscape that is akin to a grand, luxurious place for worship. Cob webs that are formed in patterns to the point they look alike to paintings are everywhere in the corner. The guaranteed hit effect of this domain are arrows falling from above that detonates and traps it’s opponents in cocoons. An army of small spiders are then summoned to go inside it’s opponent’s throat to slowly suffocate them. A deadly yet marvelous domain.
This is bad, Sukuna hasn’t even completely mastered his domain yet. He’s also running out of cursed energy.
“Aniki, what do we do now?”
“Let us just attack the Jorōgumo rip off while I gather my cursed energy.”
Yuuji nods and together, they teamed up to fight the curse with Yuuji's fierce claw like nails and Sukuna's speed, yet... As time went on, the arrows became faster, the spider curses’ cursed energy became stronger. From there, the spider curse stops moving and it wraps itself in a cocoon.
Is it over? Yuuji thinks but Sukuna knew otherwise. He knew that the spider is on the process on gaining it’s true form- It’s enlightenment.
Metallic arms burst out of the cocoon, it launches at them as fast as lightning, with Yuuji and Sukuna barely dodging.
“Huff... huff...” Sukuna pants. That was a close call. When he feels his cursed energy finally returning to him-
The spider curse gets out of it’s cocoon. It was now a full fledged golden orb weaver, who no longer possessed any humanoid characteristics. A large gemstone adorned it’s forehead.
Sukuna and Yuuji tries to move but... It’s too suffocating...
A large arrow falls from above, Sukuna’s eyes widen, before he can even move... Yuuji pushes Sukuna out off the way, punches it and ends up getting trapped in a cocoon. Sukuna was too slow and now his brother has to pay the price, shit, shit-
Can he do this? Can he complete his domain?
A bunch of small spiders ran to Yuuji and no matter how many times Sukuna kills them, they keep regenerating. Yuuji was struggling to stay calm. Oh no, oh fuck.
“OH MY, DISTRACTED?” The spider curse jumps and stabs Sukuna through his stomach. Sukuna grunts in pain. So much for a challenge.
He feels adrenaline coursing through his veins as he pulls out the spider’s arm and relies on RCT to heal his stab wound.
“Not at all.” He twists it’s arm and uses it to stab it in the face.
“YOUUU!!!! INSOLENT...BRAT!!!”
More arrows came to his way. Sukuna ran and dodged like a dancer dodging his obstacles. He gazes at his brother and Yuuji is clearly struggling to get out, with how sticky the webs are. If they were made of solid material, Yuuji would easily get out but that’s clearly not the case.
Sukuna continues striking blows with the spider curse, a mere human challenging a false god. Despite how strong Sukuna may be, all beings have a limit.
He didn’t even realize that he stepped on a cob web, which now led him immobilized, he can only move his hands. Oh fuck, he screwed up. Shit, his brother is going to die because of his incompetence.
“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?” It laughs with it’s distorted voice. Compared to before, it’s voice was more clearer.
He can only throw dismantle to the spider curse but it’ll keep healing. He will also eventually get hit by the sure hit effect of this domain. Both him and Yuuji will die soon.
The most effective way to counter a domain is to summon your own.
His second option is to summon his domain expansion, malevolent shrine. A domain that rained slashes but yet, it’s still weak and incomplete.
He smiles like a maniac as he chooses the second option, this may be his only chance to complete his domain! It’s better than not trying at all!
He presses his fingers together.
“Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine.”
The spider curses’ smug and arrogant demeanor vanishes, a false god losing their divinity. “W-WHAT...!?”
The extravagant pagoda was gone, replaced with skulls flooding the area and a shrine adorned with teeth. The floor also reflected Sukuna’s silhouette. The sky was now a dark red that faded into black.
Before the domain’s sure hit effect activates, he snatches Yuuji from his hood and watches as the slashes rained upon the spider curse.
Bow down to me. For I am your king, for I am the one who rules with an iron fist. For I am the true god to be worshipped. For I am the ruler of everything. I alone am the one who rules the heavens and beyond.
Sukuna gleefully laughs as the spider cursed scream in pain. The spider curse may have the ability to absorb cursed energy to heal but what happens when it’s overwhelmed? What happens when the container is overflowing with water in a very fast rate? Easy. It bursts. As he thought earlier... All beings have a limit.
No wonder his domain took so long to complete! It was a *barrier less* one. All this time he spent painting on a canvas, when his domain never needed one. His domain never needed it’s own canvas. The painter who paints on air. What a truly divine technique. A truly divine and powerful one.
“DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME!? HOW MARVELOUS! AHAHAHAHAHA!”
He’s thrilled. He’s absolutely thrilled. He feels absolutely manic. He feels like a god, a mortal who discovered humanity’s secrets. The hero who was chosen by the sword. A villain who won and defeated all those who dared to oppose him. A rebel who overthrew the dictator.
The spider curse may have brought a challenge to him, but it was no match to him. All false gods shall cower when they are struck by the heavens’ wrath.
From this moment and day on, Itadori Sukuna ascended to the skies and truly became a special grade sorcerer.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
After Sukuna unlocked his true potential, Yuuji was happy for his brother. Despite how much they argue, he’s still grateful for his only family left.
Sukuna may be strong now, but he’s still human and he is still Yuuji’s brother.
The clock continues ticking.
When they have time, they watch movies, they play video games, they even drag their classmates in it when they agree!
Hakari and Yuuji also do their gacha games pulling sessions, other times they are lucky, other times they are not lucky (Which is often.)
“HAKARI-SENPAI, WE GOT AN ANCIENT!”
“LET’S GO- WAIT, NOOO! ARE YOU SERIOUS!? DARK CACAO COOKIE, SERIOUSLY!?”
Kugisaki and Sukuna also get along like a house on fire, together with Sukuna, Yuuji, Kugisaki and Gojo... They are headaches for Fushiguro Megumi. Rest in peace, Megumi’s sanity.
Though... As time went on... They slowly grew distant with one another as the higher ups overworked them and sent them to mission after mission, after mission. It doesn’t help that Hakari and Kirara were expelled.
Such is the work of a special grade sorcerer. Such is the work of a grade two (soon to be one) sorcerer.
But even so, everything is fine. They still get to message one another, even if the replies are rare. Sukuna may be seen as a weapon, as a god like Gojo-sensei by others or rather specifically, the higher ups. Sukuna himself may even see himself as a god. But to Yuuji, he will always be human. He will always be his brother. After all, Sukuna will always be more human than he ever will be.
Everything is fine. Everything is completely fine!
The humanoid figure Itadori Yuuji saw at that day was nothing but a result of his imagination and paranoia.
He is already fifteen, he can handle the nightmares. He can handle the lingering feelings of doom. He can handle the guilt and grief that he feels.
As he dreams of spiders crawling down his throat and eating away parts of his skin, he screams and he screams but his attempt was futile for no one can hear him.
As he dreams of his dear friend, Junpei morphing into a transfigured human, with the sound of Mahito’s laughter ringing in his ears...
The young boy repeatedly tells himself that it’s just a dream as a mantra.
Itadori Yuuji is okay. Itadori Yuuji is fine. He should not burden anyone with his problems.
Itadori Yuuji is okay.
Itadori Yuuji... is fine.
Fine. Fine. Fine. Fine. Fine.
Fine.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
“Kuna-nii... Wahhh!” Yuuji runs to Sukuna with tears in his eyes.
“Ugh... What happened Yuu?”
He cuddles Sukuna, clinging to him like he’ll fade away if he lets go. His eyes were a puffy red, filled with tears. His hair was messier than usual, there was even snot all over him.
“Oi, what’s wrong?”
“I... I thought you left me! I was so scared!” He continues wailing with a very confused Sukuna. Did he had a bad dream?
“Don’t be sad, Yuu. I’m still here. Nightmares can’t hurt you.”
“R... really?” He sniffs. In contrast with his sunny , cheerful demeanor... He sounds so small. A small lost child.
“Uh huh. Besides, i am very strong!”
Yuuji laughs at Sukuna’s proclamation, that’s right! Kuna-nii is strong, the bad guys are scared of him. Kuna-nii will always protect him!
“Kuna-nii, I love you!”
Sukuna ruffles Yuuji’s hair. “Love ya too, Yuu. Now, get off. My shirt is full of snot, ugh.” He rolls his eyes as he pretends to push his face away.
“Because of that...”
Sukuna tickles Yuuji and his sadness from earlier disappears. The faint sound of crying has now fainted, morphing into the loud sound of heartfelt guffaws.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
“Itadori. Are you okay?”
Fushiguro stares at him with worry in his eyes. He looks so concerned for him, out of character for him considering he always wore a mask of stoicism. Was it that bad to the point Fushiguro had to take it off?
“Oi, Bakadori! Don’t tell me you’re as emotionally constipated as this guy right here.”
Despite how Kugisaki words it quite humorlessly, the unheard words we’re worried about you still echoes throughout the room.
How can they not worry about him? Yuuji’s hair was disheveled, his light was slowly fainting, his eye bags were more prominent, it’s worrying. They knew how a Jujutsu Sorcerer’s job can take a large toll on a person’s mental health. Yuuji was just an ordinary person who was forced into joining.
Yuuji chuckles and waves off their worries. “I’m okay, guys! You don’t have to worry about me.”
Kugisaki scrunches her nose and crosses her arms along with Fushiguro raising his eyebrow.
“Are you sure, Itadori?” Fushiguro questioned.
“Uh huh! Don’t worry about me!” Yuuji throws them a thumbs up. He is okay. He is fine.
Kugisaki huffs, “Just... Take care of yourself. Itadori.” Her voice was unusually soft.
“I will. Don’t worry, Kugisaki, Fushiguro.” He reassures them with a small smile.
Kugisaki opens the door and walks out of it. Fushiguro also spends one last glance at him before he follows her.
Yuuji watches as the door closes. They have already caught on to him. But, why should he be worried? He’s perfectly fine, he’s perfectly mentally stable.
He picks up the new issue of the manga he was reading. Despite the distraction, his mind couldn’t help but be filled with reminders of his nightly terrors.
They’re just nightmares, they can’t hurt me.
Yuuji flops onto his bed and opens his phone.
japanese shakespeare: Oi Yuuji, my mission is ending soon.
japanese shakespeare: Do you wish to go out? It has been a while since we talked to each other in face to face.
An opportunity to go and eat outside with his brother? Why not?
Yuujithebrat: SURE ^0^ !! whos paying? :0
japanese shakespeare: You.
Yuujithebrat: nuh uh you shold be the one paying ->-
Yuujithebrat: shoald*
Yuujithebrat: shoueld*
Yuujithebrat: SHOULD*
japanese shakespeare: Fine.
Yuujithebrat: thank u (☆▽☆)
[Gif of a happy cat clapping and jumping]
japanese shakespeare: Heh. You owe me, brat.
Yuujithebrat: 👍👍
Yuujithebrat: don’t worry >u• !!!!!
•—————— ☾ ———————•
“Good luck, Sukuna-sama.” Uraume bows.
“Thanks, Uraume.”
Uraume goes back to Ijichi’s car, leaving Sukuna alone.
japanese shakespeare: Brat, here’s the location.
Yuujithebrat: ok thanks (*´ω｀*)
Yuujithebrat: ill be there soon!!!!
Feeling impatient and wanting to pass the time, Sukuna grabs his earphones from his pocket. He browses through Spotify and clicks on his playlist.
Mezameru to yoake mae ♪
Yami wa iki o hisomete ♪
Shizukesa ga oitsumeru ♪
Kotoba ga mitsukaranai ♪
Lord give me one more chance ♪
Kore ga saigo kashira ♪
Lord give me one more chance ♪
Dounika shitai no ♪
As the cars go by, the light flickers, as the customers come and go... He gets reminded of the time he watched Evangelion with Yuuji while listening to this song.
That brat really watched Evangelion three times. How did he manage to do that!? He was already insane way before he entered Jujutsu Society. Who would ever want to watch that forsaken anime three times!?
He taps his foot, waiting for the brat to show up. What’s taking him so long?- Ah. Never mind. He sees the pink fluffy hair in the distance.
“Hello! Aniki, long time no see! Sorry I’m late.” Yuuji waves. Did he chose to run here instead of calling a cab?
“Yeah, yeah, it’s fine. Hurry up brat.”
Yuuji enthusiastically bobs his head.
The two brothers were greeted by the sound of ‘Baby Hotline’ playing in the background. It was a cafe with 90’s video game aesthetics that served simple snacks and so.
I contend that your drinking eye has never opened ♪
I insist somebody will die and I hate hoping ♪
Wishing that the pills let you cry and I hate coping ♪
Someday I will go back outside and see her okay ♪
“Ooohhh, I haven’t come here before. This place looks really cool!” Yuuji was in awe of this place’s aesthetic.
The two brothers take a seat. Despite Yuuji’s content smile, something is off about him.
“Sukuna-kyun~♪ Nobara-chan and Megumi-kyun are worried about Yuuji-kun. And i’m starting to become worried too, so I would like you to talk to him! After all, you’re his precious onii-chan ♪” Chibi Kakashi wannabe runs off comically while laughing after that.
Before Sukuna talks to him, he decided that it would be best for to order food first. Because well, he is starving, Yuuji is also more thinner so...
“What would you like to eat, sir?” The waiter asks.
“Oh, I want a cheesecake. With a mango smoothie.”
“Pancakes, I guess. Hm, perhaps water should suffice.”
“Right away sir.”
After the waiter left and came back with their orders, Sukuna and Yuuji began eating. The pancakes are soft and fluffy, the syrup isn’t also that sweet.
It is adequate, Sukuna approves.
When they were done eating, Sukuna decides to cut to the chase. He is remarkable for his bluntness and straightforward no-bullshit attitude after all.
“So, brat. Are you alright?”
Yuuji gawks at him, completely dumbfounded. “Eh? Oh- I’m alright, aniki! Don’t worry about me, what about you?”
Yuuji is clearly avoiding and changing the topic. Instead of going along, Sukuna insists. (A bad decision on his part). “Brat, I am asking you. Your friends are worried about you, even that blindfolded Kakashi wannabe dumbass is worried.”
He tugs his shirt nervously, “I- I told you! There’s nothing wrong.” His tone was defensive now.
“Act cheerful and smiley all you want, Yuuji. But it is obvious that something is bothering you. So tell me, brat, what is wrong?”
No reply.
Yuuji instead stands up and excuses himself, “Excuse me, aniki. I just need to go to the bathroom.”
“Oi, brat-“
Fuck, maybe he should have made Yuuji drunk so he could be more honest. Never mind, never mind, he almost destroyed Jujutsu tech as a whole. Besides, Yuuji is going to be more upset when he does that.
“Damn it. What the fuck should I do?” Sukuna is not in fact, great with this whole giving advice thing.
Why won’t Yuuji just tell his unofficial boyfriend about it? He runs his hand through his hair as he tries to find a strategy. What to do, what to do? Perhaps he should start by taking him somewhere more private. Yeah, this will do. The brat might feel more relaxed in familiar places.
The moment Yuuji came out of the bathroom, Sukuna took him to the park.
•—————— ☾ ———————•
“So, brat, mind telling me what is going on?”
Sukuna and Yuuji was sitting on a bench. There were trees, streetlights along with slides and swings accompanying it.
Children’s laughter echoed throughout the park, the sun was looking down on them, slowly sinking until the moon takes it’s place.
Before Yuuji can even protest,
“You do not have to act all tough, Yuuji. There is so need for you to bottle your emotions. The outcome will be far much worse if your emotions eventually burst.”
A beat passes as Yuuji let Sukuna’s words sink in. “I... Aniki. It’s- it’s nothing that bad really. I just had bad dreams lately.”
“Nightmares about what?”
He fiddles with his fingers and looks down on the floor, “Nightmares about the weird spider thing. And... Junpei.”
Ah, so that’s the problem. Sukuna was too ecstatic in his awakening to the point he didn’t even care to consult his younger brother. He did almost die after all. He also had to witness his friend dying in front of him. That’s fucked up. No wonder he’s traumatized.
“Ah.. Sorry, brat. I... apologize.” Sukuna never showed his remorse through words, he preferred to show it through his actions. But in this moment, it is a more appropriate action to take.
“Eh?”
“I should have talked to you about this. You were trapped in webs, weren’t you? It must have been nauseating to see those little pests crawling up your throat.”
Yuuji takes a deep breath. “It’s not your fault, aniki. And... Yeah, it was. I shouldn’t be surprised though, since I’m a Jujutsu Sorcerer now.”
“Brat. You are new to this world. You only just joined since what, a few months ago? You were forced into this world. You were just a normal kid.”
Kid. Not civilian, but kid.
“Was I really a normal kid in the first place, though?” Yuuji mumbled to himself.
Sukuna will not let that slide. “You are brat. You are. Look, whether you gain a second pair of eyes or if your skin color change, you will always be human to me. Our relationship will not change. So, there is no need to doubt yourself. Is that understood? It was also not your fault when Junpei morphed into a transfigured human. You were up against a special grade, Yuuji. You could have died if Nanami-san wasn’t there.” You are precious to me.
Sukuna ruffles Yuuji’s hair and with Yuuji’s smile returning to his face... “Understood, aniki. I... I know that it wasn’t my fault but... I should have been stronger. But even so, thank you.”
Sukuna feels relief as his brother’s sunny disposition finds it way back home, back where it belongs. Even if his voice held uncertainty and doubt, it’s fine. It’s progress.
“Ya welcome brat. You will become a strong sorcerer one day. Do not worry. There is even a chance that you might even defeat that cursed spirit when you see it again.”
He huffs, “To be honest, I was rather concerned of your lack of brain cells that might lead to the point that I have to drill it into your head when I said those words. You do have a very thick skull after all.”
Instead of rebuking or countering him, Yuuji chuckles.
Mission completed.
- .. --. . .-. / ... --- ...