Chapter Text
The King of Curses had a wife. Had? Have? While Sukuna had been cut up to just his fingers and mysteriously sealed away to live on for the centuries to come, no one is really sure about what happened to the wife. Although, only one thing was clear, the husband and wife never got along.
Or did they?
Sukuna’s current residence, a nondescript village with villagers that worship him, has taken it upon themselves to sacrifice person after person to Sukuna, in hopes that they would be spared from misfortune. Their sacrifices went from ordinary people that everyone hated, into criminals, into brides, and unfortunately (or fortunately?), a pretty woman from a house at the edge of the village became their very last sacrifice.
The woman was presented to the King of Curses, in a rundown house smackdab in the middle of their village. Surely her pretty features would finally make Sukuna happy, right? But of course, just sacrificing a beautiful bride did not dissuade misfortune from happening, as those who presented the wife were killed right then and there.
People like to believe the wife still had something up her sleeve that made Sukuna not immediately kill and eat her. They say she, Kaguya-hime, had no problems walking among corpses, and had no problem eating human flesh, in fact, they say she even enjoys it. They also said she's as regal as an actual princess, but with a personality that rivaled her husband, if her disgust towards humans were any indication for it, as if she herself wasn’t one (although that’s still up to debate if she ever was human).
She was pale, like the sun has never touched her skin, and frail-looking, like she could be easily snapped in half, but was never sickly nor weak. Her lips were a shade of red so bright, it was almost as if she swiped the blood from a fresh corpse and painted it on her lips. Her eyes pierced through your soul and your every secret is unveiled. Perhaps it was these characteristics that Sukuna took a liking to her.
The interest didn’t last, though, as it was once said that she had been eaten by Sukuna just a few days after their marriage – rumors of not keeping up with the King of Curses. And yet, she was seen through the window of the house she and her husband lived in, looking as pale and disgusted in life as ever. But if one were to look closer, they would’ve seen that she looks more… alive in a sense. So really, no one knows what went on between them inside that house, but the rumor of her being eaten arose again when they no longer saw her in the following days. Those that were brave enough to ask the King of Curses himself about her wellbeing or whereabouts were just greeted with a glare.
Safe to say, she had just up and left, and Sukuna was left in his lonesome. He never went after her, they noticed, so they said that maybe he loved her too much to just let her go. Assuming cursed spirits can love, but who’s to say they can't? Afterall, wasn't Sukuna once human anyways?
Every now and then, Sukuna's name would pop up in the mortal world, whispers of his wife being the one to spread his name, as a way to do what she wanted. And because no one would dare go against the only wife Sukuna loved enough to let go, everyone believed Kaguya-hime, bending to her whims and providing her everything.
Once in a while, someone would oppose, someone would act to take the life of Kaguya-hime, only for them to fall to the floor in a bloody mess due to being sliced, and that would cement the fact that Sukuna is protecting his wife, no matter where she is. Muzan can only sneer at these rumors and assumptions, because he was the one who killed these pests, he’s not some bumbling damsel in distress that needs protection… But it didn’t hurt that Sukuna's name is helping him hide his identity, even if it irks him.
Although, another problem being connected to Sukuna is that it throws more assassins at him – as if the Demon Slayers aren't enough, there are also the Jujutsu Sorcerers. The slayers are easier to deceive and hide from, but the sorcerers somehow have more resources and are more crazy to find him and directly go after him.
Nakime’s Infinity Castle became his solace, well… discounting one other place that he would deny he ever willingly went to.
He's really going to enjoy dragging Sukuna's name on the ground for this. As much as they are keeping apart from each other, Sukuna surely knows that Jujutsu Sorcerers are after Muzan, and he's probably laughing at him right now. Bastard.
Muzan has half the mind to send his demons after Sukuna, but they did make a binding vow to not hurt or kill the other. Besides, it's not like Sukuna was the one sending the Sorcerers after Muzan.
If you told Muzan that his ‘relationship’ with Sukuna would somewhat improve, you would die right then and there. Too bad it’s all true.
This is a nightmare. As appetizing fresh human flesh is, he just couldn’t get rid of the delicious taste of the food he was served with under Sukuna’s abode. It was certainly that white-haired servant that cooked it. No one else was there in that house for the week that he was there, even though he’s never seen Uraume cook.
It wouldn’t be against anything to visit Sukuna, right? It’s not like he’s going to hurt him anyway, and he just needs to taste that delicious food again. It’s also been a good decade or so since they first met, surely that’s enough time to rid of any animosity?
So, if Sukuna suddenly gets a visitor in the form of Kaguya-hime who is being gawked at by the villagers as she trots into town and enters Sukuna’s house, then what a headache it is to know that new rumors will fly to every corner of Japan.
“I thought you’re going to leave me alone.”
“Oh, I’m not here for you,” She gracefully swings her wagasa to the side once she’s fully inside the house, gently closing it as if still keeping up her ‘princess image’ for whoever is still staring at her from outside. “I’m here for your cook.”
“And why would I lend Uraume to you.”
Really, Sukuna should know the difference between a question and a statement.
“Because I’m your wife?” She’s going to exploit this every chance she gets. What’s that saying? Evil people should torture each other in the grave called marriage?
“You’re a thorn on my side.” Sukuna turns around, walking off to his hideous, makeshift throne. The disrespect, honestly.
“Not letting me eat the most mouthwatering, tastiest food is considered harming me, yes? Letting me starve and all that.”
“Bullshit.” Sukuna sneers. “You’re only harmed if I put my hands on you, which, I’m clearly not doing.”
“Ah, but binding vows are tricky, aren’t they?” Kaguya-hime’s face is starting to really look like it’ll look better cut off and pinned to the wall.
“Not really. They’re the cut and dry type of deal.”
“You’re no fun.” She walks around Sukuna, plopping herself on his throne. Sukuna’s irritation shows through his face, a vein popping up on his forehead. Not like he could do anything.
“I’ll even invite you to my place.” Her sweet, sweet smile highlighted by her red lipstick. “To repay you for your hospitality, and all that.”
That sickeningly sweet smile on her face only widens after an agreement has been made. What this agreement was, is to stay between husband and wife, you'll find out what is it in the next few eras.
Right now, all Muzan remembers is Uraume’s twitching eye, and the sound of the biwa. Because here Muzan is, at the head of a long table that comfortably sits the Twelve Demon Moons, eating the most delicious serving of human meat he’s ever had. Too bad Sukuna decided to not come over.
“Thank you-“ Muzan says insincerely, “Uraume, for the food. Extend my thanks to that four-armed freak, yes?”
Uraume’s eyes stay rooted to the floor, but they reply anyway, “Like you creatures aren’t freaks, anyway.”
“Careful, Uraume-chan.” Muzan slices the human meat, carefully lifting it to his mouth with his chopsticks like it was a proper 5-star meal. “My binding vow to my husband does not extend to you.”
Uraume looks up at that, disgust clear on their face at the term used by Muzan. He pays no more attention to it, waving a hand in dismissal that was succeeded with the sound of a biwa, effectively transporting Uraume out of the realm.
The Twelve Demons Moon (most of them) each exchange a look, but didn’t dare bring up the topic (A husband? Binding vows?), focusing on the cooked food in front of them. They never really cared to cook human flesh, just resorted to eating it fresh from the body, because it’s just more delicious like that. But having dinner with their Lord is probably going to be a one-time thing anyway, and if the Lord looks like he’s enjoying it, then why not.
Oh, if they could eat their own thoughts. Cooked human meat is absolutely delicious.
If only they could have that white-haired… not human, be their cook forever. Too bad the said white-haired not human only reserved themselves to cook for one (1) powerful cursed spirit, and his wife (begrudgingly).
Would you believe that an all-powerful demon like Muzan gets bored? Yes, well, here he is, lying down by the entrance of Sukuna’s house, staring up at the full moon that’s beautifully illuminating everything. It’s honestly irritating how a simple blue flower is so hard to come by. If a low-life healer can find it and make medicine out of it, why can’t Muzan and his army of demons even catch a glimpse of it?
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”
“Shut up.” Muzan responds without any real hatred. The cursed spirit that resides in this house (so dramatic) has his arms crossed, staring down at the demon that decided his bloodied floors are comfortable enough to lay down and stargaze on.
His wife has been visiting more often after the first time he came by to grab Uraume. He mostly visits at night, though, unless he wants to grab the village folks’ attention, then he’ll strut around in his female form. As much as Muzan said he hates humans, he’ll still take their attention, preen under it like a peacock.
Sukuna can’t exactly kick him out, any harm done no matter how minimal, can immediately cause him his life, stupid binding vow. Those moments were sort of a life and death situation, and if he didn’t agree to the vow, he might’ve gone insane. There was just something in his wife’s blood that irritated his entire being.
Sukuna also stares up at the moon, trying to figure out what’s so fascinating about it. If they spend the rest of the night like that, just beside each other and staring up at the sky, then no one needs to say anything about it, because once the sun starts to appear, Muzan retreats inside the house and Sukuna follows after a while.
It starts with a chase. There’s a tingling sensation that started on the back of his head, like someone is focusing and staring into his very soul, before eventually flowing to the rest of his body. Yes, Muzan is the most powerful demon in existence, but he absolutely feels like prey right now, and his body’s desire to just jolt into action to run and hide is proof of that.
He’s not dumb, so he follows, immediately bolting through the trees. It’s just unfortunate, isn’t it, that the predator is just as fast, if not faster, than Muzan. It’s not another sorcerer or a slayer, there aren’t any fast enough to fully catch up with Muzan, and it’s not like they pose a real threat to him.
The slight panic in his chest turned to something else entirely, although he’s not sure what else the fast beating of his heart means. Excitement? Elation? Or maybe it’s annoyance, once he figured out who it was that was chasing him. He humors him though, and as long as he doesn’t hurt the predator, he’s still safe. Muzan doubts the predator would hurt the prey too, no predator wants to die anyway.
The scenery around them were just rows and rows of bamboo – tall and thick, small and thin – placed far enough from each other for Muzan to run through in between, but still close enough for him not to see anything regarding his predator aside from a blur of white, black, and a spot of light red.
It can almost be said that he’s starting to enjoy the chase, but his sensations tingle once more when he realizes how close and closer it is for the sun to start to rise, and that his predator his leading him directly to the east, to where the sun is rising. He hisses, trying to run faster, hoping to break through the bamboo forest and see another forest with thicker trunks and more shade. Or if he’s lucky enough, maybe there’s a village nearby.
He is lucky, because through the gaps between the bamboo’s he sees in his peripheral view a building, maybe the start of a village. He changes direction and heads to it. Maybe this is the predator’s plan to rid of the binding vow, it’s not like Sukuna would perish if Muzan dies from the sun. Too bad he’s not planning to die so soon.
What he doesn’t expect, is for the predator to protect the prey, because here he is, his back against a bamboo as he is encased by the four-armed beast whose frame is wide enough to completely cover Muzan from the sun. Sukuna’s two upper hands are clasped around the bamboo above Muzan’s head, while the lower two hands hold onto his waist – tight enough to hold him still, but not enough to hurt.
“You’re a damned vampire.” Amusement lingers in his statement.
“Close, but not quite.” The sunlight streams so brightly from behind Sukuna, almost making him seem darker as the shadows bend around them. “I don’t turn into a bat.”
Sukuna tilts his head and a stray sunlight hits Muzan’s face, he hisses, bowing down and clutching his face, willing himself to regenerate. He folds into himself as if trying to fit his entire being to hide behind Sukuna.
“You shapeshift, you drink blood, you can’t go into the sun. What’s next, you’re afraid of garlic too?”
Muzan hums, a bit angry and irritated. “Very funny. And how do you propose I get out of this?” Maybe he could shift into his child form. His current clothes would become too big for him, and maybe he could use that to cover up.
Sukuna sighs. “Hold on to me, would you.”
“Hold on to what?” Sukuna doesn’t exactly have clothes, and he’s not putting his hands around his body to hold on, lest the sun once again decides it hates Muzan with all its will. He values his hands very much, thank you. He expresses as much to Sukuna who just rolls his eyes and wraps all his arms around Muzan.
Muzan has seen demons and demon slayers alike train and develop their speed. Muzan himself is the fastest one he’s encountered, but he’s never seen speed as fast as Sukuna, who managed to get from their position in the forest, to the nearby village in a blink of an eye.
The ‘village’ turns out to just be two houses facing each other, perhaps belonging to a family and their extended relatives.
From here, Muzan could just order Nakime to open up an entrance for him to the Infinity Castle. He looks at Sukuna, trying to gauge what his next move is. He doesn’t seem all too concerned about appearing to the humans who sounds like they are finally rousing from their sleep. Of course he doesn’t care, people worship the ground he steps on, anyway, and those that doesn’t worship him can’t really easily kill him.
Muzan rolls his eyes, about to send the order to Nakime, only for Sukuna to clear his throat.
“Eaten yet?”
Ah. Well, it’s only two houses with maybe only a couple of people inside. They could share.
“Open up a makeshift door, then, could you?”
Sukuna snorts, then punches through the wall. Thank goodness the windows and doors have stayed closed, not allowing sunlight through.
The blood of the humans paints the walls of the house in an almost intricate design, no matter how abstract it might look to others. Sukuna’s finger dips through a pool of blood, then raises it up to Muzan’s face to paint his lips.
The mortals’ descriptions of his wife are correct – her bright red lips most certainly look like fresh blood from a fresh corpse.
Jujutsu Sorcerers are weird, as much as Muzan has eyes and ears everywhere, any information about these sorcerers just seem to escape him. He has found a clan of these sorcerers but he has yet to make a move against them. He’s seen what they could do, and without truly knowing what their source of power is, Muzan could only step back for now.
He’s not all that surprised when once in a while, an all-so-powerful sorcerer finds him and tries to kill him. He’s convinced these mortals only know to kill anything that threatens them. Muzan doesn’t blame them, though, weak people always have this extravagant belief that they are bigger than life. Then again, they’re not really doing a good job about it because Muzan still stares down at another sorcerer sent to kill him – a sorcerer that’s quickly losing a lot of blood.
He was a good fighter… if Muzan ever even gave him a chance. He barely even had to think about how to kill the mortal before he’s already fallen to the ground due to his wounds. Maybe he could play with his food for a bit, experiment on it.
“Would you like to live longer, poor mortal?” Muzan offers. “You’d become stronger if you were like me.”
And just like anyone that’s oh-so desperate to live, the man easily accepts, and so Muzan offers his blood.
It’s a shame though, when the man immediately crumbles and dies on the spot. Poor mortal.
He discovers, easily enough, that these Jujutsu Sorcerers can’t be turned into demons. Most of them die as soon as they receive his blood. Those who survive, would only last for a few minutes before crumbling into dust.
He didn’t know much of these sorcerers to have any concrete theories on why they immediately die. The Demon Slayers he turned have continued living as demons, only dying either from the hands of fellow demon slayers, or from Muzan himself due to incompetence. But these sorcerers… hmm, peculiar.
“It’s probably the cursed energy.” Sukuna replies, digging into his own food. Muzan sits opposite of him, just like he did in their first meal. “It’s born out of negative emotions, and almost everyone has them. Jujutsu Sorcerers learn to harness this energy and turn it into a superpower of sorts.”
Muzan chews on his own food, contemplative. If nearly everyone has them, can demons and demon slayers learn to also harness it?
“Do you sense cursed energy on me?”
Sukuna raises an eyebrow at him, somewhat connecting the dots. “Yeah, you actually have a lot. You’d probably be categorized as a Special Grade like me.”
Peculiar indeed.
If he has a huge amount of cursed energy, is he already using it, or is it dormant? Is it blocked by something, maybe related to his demon status? Demons already have their own set of abilities, what’s the chance it’s related to cursed energy?
Muzan needs to research more on this – possibly sacrificing a few demons here and there. Maybe he would finally make a move on that clan of sorcerers. That, or he could just invite Sukuna along when Muzan schedules a meeting for the Twelve Demon Moons, since he’s already well accustomed to using and sensing cursed energy.
They’d finally have a legitimate excuse for Sukuna to visit.
On another issue, what’s the chance Demon Slayers can also use cursed energy? They already mastered their breathing techniques, how powerful would it be combined with cursed energy? Or maybe it already is connected to that without them knowing where their power really comes from.
It would really do Muzan some good to always have Sukuna by his side when he encounters slayers. That, or he could just snatch up a slayer and present them to Sukuna. Maybe they could play and experiment together on it.
Muzan is a scientist at heart, it seems, especially after he got fucked over by his sickness and have been searching for ways to conquer the sun.
One thing is for sure, however, he would have to make sure to keep the Jujutsu Sorcerers and Demon Slayers far away from each other, lest they awaken some higher power.
How is it harnessed anyway? Does it only have to come from oneself to harness it or can you manipulate someone else’s cursed energy? Do you just think ‘negative emotions’ and suddenly it’ll come to life? Surely that’s not what it takes for the energy to become a power.
Muzan wonders what he can do to tap into this power.
“There are others like you, yes?”
“We’re everywhere, sweetheart, you just have to look closer, make use of your cursed energy and all that.”
Well, he supposes that’s one way, for a beginner at least.
Muzan isn’t human, everyone knows this, so surely, he doesn’t have the same limitation as humans do? Maybe it’s his demon status, or the apparently huge amount of cursed energy in him that he’s yet to tap into. Sukuna had suggested Muzan “look closer” and try to identify cursed spirits like him, as a way to slowly bring his cursed energy to life.
Sukuna’s a shit teacher, so of course, it’s not going to be as easy as to “look closer”. Sukuna had another theory, a bit out there, but it’s not really harmful, is it? If Muzan can’t willingly tap into that energy, maybe receiving a huge burst of it would trigger the cursed energy to activate on its own.
Wanna guess how they would trigger it?
Here’s the scenario, two not-so-human beings sit on plush chairs in a barely cleaned room in a rickety old building, facing each other and sipping from a glass cup. The sun was just starting to set, and its rays are filtering in through the open window, setting on the empty space between the not-so-human beings.
You’d ask, what are they doing here? Especially when one of them fears the sunlight, and the other surely has better things to be doing. Not to mention, they absolutely hate each other, don’t they? Well…
When one asks the creature who fears the sunlight, his reply is that, “The chairs here are much more comfortable than the ones I own.” And the creature who has more important things to do will reply, “I still need to rest, don’t I?”
Their answers aren’t really satisfying, but you will move on anyway. What are they drinking? Sake is pretty famous here, but their drinks were red. Imported perhaps?
Wrong again, dear reader. Their drink is locally-sourced, in fact, it came inside from the room itself. Well, more specifically, inside the creatures.
The two had a binding vow not to hurt the other, but the taste of the other’s blood was something they really wanted to have. So, they take their own hand, slice it with their own claws, pour their blood on a nice cup, and offer it to the other creature.
The two creatures were of different origins. The one who feared the sunlight is a demon, more commonly known as Kibutsuji Muzan. The one who had more important things to do is a cursed spirit, commonly worshipped as Ryoumen Sukuna. Despite the different origins, it can be argued that they are still somewhat the same. Their distaste for humans but enjoyment of their flesh, their penchant for torture and loathing of disloyal subordinates, and most importantly, their absolute inclination to match each other’s freak.
Oh, if the people who knew them could see them now.
Muzan’s blood crawled around Sukuna’s body like there were a bunch of tiny worms wriggling through every artery, every vein, through every fold of his muscles, and through every corner of his organs. It was toxic and it throbs, but it’s so addicting. There was just something within the demon’s blood that had a certain effect on the cursed spirit.
Sukuna’s blood had a different effect. It flowed smoothly, soothingly – filling up every crook and cranny of Muzan’s body. It hits every spot with a fiery and heavy punch like some sort of power surge that has his entire body tensing up in anticipation of the hit – a lightning strike, perhaps. It was powerful and bold, and it was oh so good.
Sukuna’s theory wasn’t that far off, if the small blob of a creature on the corner of the room that Muzan is currently looking at was any indication that being hit by a huge amount of cursed energy can trigger his own to activate.
The first step to believing is to see, after all. If he has to sip on Sukuna’s blood every now and then until he learns to activate the energy on his own, then so be it.
Muzan feels so out of place. His head is swimming around and more shadowy blobs with eyes and teeth are appearing in his vision. He tilts his head back to rest it on the back of the chair, taking a deep breath to calm himself from the rush of power. His lips unknowingly stretch into a smile, and he also unknowingly has captured Sukuna’s attention – Sukuna, who’s swirling his own glass of Muzan’s blood, has been caught in a trap… and he’s not mad about it.
Really, Muzan should've anticipated this. It's almost like the constant, downright teasing between him and Sukuna is finally getting to both of them. There have definitely been multiple scenarios where Sukuna could’ve taken Muzan then and there, but somehow, restraint has wormed its way into their bodies.
Until now, of course.
They didn't plan it, but somehow, Muzan finds himself at a dark and abandoned house. If asked, he will say it's because he saw a couple of homeless kids enter it, and every demon knows that the younger the human is, the better the taste. But really, all he's doing is gasping at his damned cursed husband’s every thrust.
"You are such a," Muzan exhales, "Boar-headed freak."
"Sure." Was Sukuna's only reply, mouthing and borderline chewing on Muzan's neck like he was a goddamned candy.
"I thought our vow was for you not to hurt me."
"Am I hurting you?"
"Go fuck yourself."
Maybe he will, he has four arms, surely that would be of some use, but he’s content with what he and his wife are doing right now. Muzan’s soft skin feels so good to grab on to, feels good to squish. Fuck, if only they didn’t have that binding vow, Sukuna would love to rip his wife apart and put him back together.
“Shift.”
“What?”
“I want your female form.” Sukuna pulls out. “Shift.”
“You’re a pervert.” Muzan sighs but shifts anyway. They have a long night ahead of them.
“Maybe I just want two holes to fuck, how about that?” Sukuna takes care inserting a finger inside her, smirking at the look on her face. “And you don’t seem keen to get your mouth stuffed.”
“I really should’ve just stayed at the castle.” Muzan murmurs, Sukuna hears it anyway. “Just remember, you are also at a disadvantage right now, so don’t get too cocky.”
Sukuna huffs in amusement. “Like I would let my death be from a pussy.”
Who knew if he meant that literally or figuratively.
And if that was the last time they ever saw each other, then nothing else needs to be said about it.
Or should there be something to say about it?
There’s a shift in the air, and Muzan feels it throughout his entire body. He’s not sure if the shift indicates a sudden wave of power, or a sudden absence of it. Nonetheless, he stands up, his entire body on high alert. It’s almost familiar, the cause of his paranoia, like he’s already been through this before.
Before he could overthink it, there was a presence right beside him. It was the silhouette of a person bowing down, wearing long robes and has white hair. Uraume and Muzan never really interacted willingly or without Sukuna’s supervision, so it’s definitely a surprise to see them here.
“I’m assuming you know what that is?”
“Sukuna-sama has been sealed.” Uraume replies, Muzan can almost hear their somber tone. “He told me to report to you.”
There was hesitation in their voice, Muzan can tell that much, but if there’s something he knows about Uraume, it’s that they can’t resist an order from dear old Sukuna-sama. Uraume themselves don’t exactly know the reason that Sukuna got his soul split through his 20 fingers, it’s not like he was at the verge of death and being sealed was his only way to live. But Sukuna seemed to have planned it, or at least have been aware of it, if he was still able to order Uraume to serve Muzan, at least for the time-being.
Not that Muzan doesn’t appreciate it. He’s going to enjoy having 5-star meals every day, thanks to Uraume. Muzan belatedly realized Sukuna still hasn’t visited the Infinity Castle once… well, sucks for him.
OMAKE
“Let’s have a trade then, Muzan-sama.” There was enough vitriol in Uraume’s sentence, but Muzan still comfortably sits in the plush chair he stole from Sukuna’s house all those centuries ago. He has the upper hand here, after all. “I will find for you those flowers you need, but you will hand over to me any of Sukuna-sama’s fingers that you find.”
Muzan hums, “And why should I do that? I already have subordinates searching those flowers for me.” He holds up Sukuna’s sealed finger, staring at it like it was something he’s never seen before.
“Then if I find one within a month, you will hand me that finger.”
“Careful, Uraume-chan.” A smirk, “You still answer to me, don’t you?”
Uraume is not going to back down and apologize, Muzan knows that much, but he still enjoys the growing tension and silence between the two of them. He laughs.
“Fine then, find a blue spider lily within 2 weeks, then you can have my husband’s finger.” A side-eye. “Who knew you like him that much, hm?”
By the end of a week and a half, there’s a blue spider lily waiting on Muzan’s desk, the box holding Sukuna’s finger was gone.