Work Text:
August 2006...
The house that had resounded of cursed energy was now in shambles on the ground. Sukuna watched as Satoru leaned close to Utahime, clearly teasing her.
“You cryin’?” He heard Satoru ask her.
“Satoru Gojo I’m going to kill you!” She said, shoving the rocks out of the way with Shoko’s help. Once she was free, she hugged her. “Shoko, thank you!” She gives Satoru a dirty look. “Don’t ever become like them, okay?”
“Those losers?” Shoko said, raising a brow. “I would never be that lame.”
“Satoru, don’t pick on Utahime.” Geto called to him, exasperation clear in his voice.
Sukuna rolled his eyes. “That’s all he knows what to do.” He turns to Utahime. “You okay? It’s been two days since we heard from you.”
“Two days?!” Utahime asked, shocked. “Thanks for coming for me.”
“Well what kind of idiot picks on the strong?”
“I thought you were the strongest.” Sukuna asked him, sarcasm lacing every word. “Who else is there but you?”
They headed back to the campus, him barely listening to the inane drivel that came out of his classmates, more specifically from Satoru Gojo’s mouth. He tuned when they were back, and he heard his name.
“What about Sukuna?” Shoko asked, clearly amused.
“Nah, I’d win.” Satoru said, smirking.
Sukuna stared blankly at the man in front of him. “…What is wrong with you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Satoru said, staring at him.
“You think this is how he flirts?” Shoko said, smirking at her class mate.
“Confirmed.” Geto said, smirking back. “It’s a bit embarrassing, honestly.”
Sukuna rolled his eyes, ignoring comments from the peanut gallery. He’s well aware of what they think he’s doing, even if they’re not exactly wrong. If there was one thing that was true, it was that Satoru Gojo had been a constant in his life since he had gotten here. With them matching in strength it only made sense for them to naturally gravitate to each other.
Didn’t mean he had to be thrilled about it.
Instead of replying to Gojo’s clear argument bait, he turned to Shoko. “How’s that reverse curse technique going? I know you’ve gotten a good head start on everyone.”
“Aside from you, you prodigy.” Shoko said laughing. “I swear you’re like perfect.”
At that he had to laugh. “I’m far from perfect. I just had a lot of free time to practice.”
“Well your domain is a work of art.” Shoko said, smiling. “I wish I could get something as interesting as yours.”
“Healing is not work for the weak.” Sukuna reminded her. “I would say your role is even more important. Without you, where would we be in battle?”
“Ah, such a flatterer.” Shoko said, laughing once more. “But save that for your little boy toy over there.”
Satoru scowled at her, “Hey! Rude.”
She raised a brow. “Who said I was talking about you? It’s not like I named anyone.”
Satoru rolled his eyes at her. “You’re hilarious Shoko.”
“Did you hear about the new mission we’re going to get?” Geto asked him. “I wonder who they’re going to pick.”
“Sounds boring anyway.” Sukuna said, rolling his eyes. “Protecting some girl? I’ll pass.”
“You’re just jealous the woman don’t fawn over you like they do with me.” Satoru said, laughing and elbowing him. “It’s called charm, you might want to try it.”
“Whatever you say pretty boy.” He said, rolling his eyes. He turned to Shoko, missing the pink that spread across Gojo’s cheeks. “Shall we head to class? I don’t want to get caught in whatever he’s getting involved in.”
Shoko chuckled and looked past him. “…Too late.”
“You four. My office, now.” The principal said, pointing a finger at Gojo. “Especially you.”
“What did I do?” Gojo complains.
“Better question is what didn’t you do?” Sukuna muttered as Principal Yaga left, them following. “I want to know why I’m being roped into your shit.”
“You know you love me.” Satoru said as he smirked at him.
“Now that is definitely not true.” Sukuna said to him. “You are the bane of my existence.”
“Aww, how cute.” Satoru said, grinning.
“Ahem.” The principal said to the,. “If you would so kindly stop talking, I brought you all here for a reason.”
“Whatever Gojo did, were not a part of it.” Sukuna said to him, crossing his arms. “I just want to put that on record.”
“We have a mission of the utmost importance.” Yaga said, ignoring what he said. “And I need your help to retrieve something incredibly important.”
“What is it?” Satoru asked, leaning in, looking serious for once.
One thing he could say was that when they had a mission briefing, Satoru was serious. It was one of the few things he appreciated about the man.
“As you know, the merge for Tengen is upon us.” Yaga said, showing them the screen of a young girl. “Her name is Riko Amani. She is the Star Plasma Vessel. It is imperative we get her for her merging as soon as possible.”
“No shit?” Sukuna muttered, shocked at the importance of the mission they were being entrusted. Louder, he said, “Why call us? This seems like a two man gig.”
“You and Shoko are the back up.” Yaga said. “I have full faith Gojo and Geto will be able to have this under control, but with this mission, back up will not be a bad thing to have.”
“Yeah, especially since Gojo doesn’t even have control of his powers.” Sukuna, scoffing. “Most powerful jujutsu sorcerer and he can’t even control Limitless.”
Satoru turned, glaring at him. “Easy for you to say. The weak always pick on the strong.”
“We’re at the same level asshole.” Sukuna reminisced him. “My birth may not have shifted the balance of the world, but I’m still a Special Grade like you.”
Satoru scowled, but Shoko held him back. “Enough arguing. You’re both strong. Let’s focus on what really matters: the success of this mission.”
Sukuna sighed, pushing all the anger down and away, to deal with later. He opened his eyes after a big sigh. “You’re right. Shoko, I think you and I will be out of sight unless they need help. That way we won’t get in the way of anything.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Shoko said, nodding. “Knowing Gojo, he’ll find a way to piss someone off.”
“Hey!” Satoru said, fake offended.
“Anyway, be careful. There are two groups you need to be aware of. One is the Curse User Group Q, and the other is the Star Religious Group. Both seek to make sure this merge does not go through.” Yaga sighed, running a hand down his face. “Honestly, I think that you four are not suited for this mission, but Master Tengen asked from you all specifically.”
“Wow, what an honor.” Geto said, looking at them. “We will make sure to make not only this school, but the whole of jujutsu society proud.”
“I hope so. If this mission fails, it can affect the general public as well. But it’s settled.” Yaga said to him. “You’ll leave as soon as you're ready. Remember: this mission is essential to complete, so treat it that way. I trust you all, so don’t let me down.”
“Well’s do our best Principal Yaga.” Geto said to him as he got up. “You can count on us.”
“As they get up, Yaga said to them in a calm voice, but underlying amusement. “Oh, and Satoru? Next time remember to put up a veil. We don’t need the public freaking out.”
Sukuna laughed as he walked out, Satoru whining as they left.
“I can’t believe Master Tengen asked for us specifically.” He heard Geto say through the earpiece he was wearing.
“I’m not. We are some of the strongest in our class. Me especially.” Satoru said. Sukuna rolled his eyes, and Shoko laughed.
“You really know how to stroke your own ego, don’t you Satoru?” Sukuna said, amused.
“Is it ego if it’s true through?” Satoru asked him. He could hear the stupid look on his face.
“Focus on the mission.” Sukuna said, as he closed the line. Now he could only hear Satoru and Geto, not the other way around. “You seem amused.”
“The way you guys flirt is amusing.” Shoko said, chuckling. “I’ve never seen it before.”
‘We do not flirt.” Sukuna, scrunching his nose at the idea. “Ugh.”
“Whatever.” Shoko said. “You’ll figure it out eventually. When you get married, I’ll say ‘I told you so’.”
(Years later Shoko would look him in the eyes and say in a measured tone, “I told you so.”
He rolled his eyes, adjusting his suit. “Whatever. Fuck off.”
She lifted her wine to cover her smirk, but he could see it. He decided to not point it out.
“Sukuna! We’re cutting the cake!” He looked to see Gojo gesturing him to the large wedding cake the venue had set up.
“Better go, don’t want your husband to get mad.” She smirked.
He got up, leaving her there, ignoring how she was always right in the end. He had a wedding cake to cut.)
“Jokes on you, I’m never getting married.” Sukuna said. “I can’t have my spouse in danger, and as long as I’m a sorcerer, I will be.”
“That’s a lonely existence.” Shoko said quietly. “Don’t-” She was interrupted by a loud crash.
He bolted to where the sound was. He saw Satoru fighting another guy. He turned to Shoko, and said, “You find Geto, get the girl to safety.”
She nodded, leaving to find their other classmate. He turned to Satoru, who was predictably taunting the man who was there to kill Riko Amani.
“Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” Satoru said to the guy. “I just got yelled at this morning.”
“You act like this is first time it’s ever happened.” Sukuna said, amused.
“That uniform…you're a student of the jujustsu sorcery school, aren’t you?” The man said.
Satoru smirked at him. “Guess you do have eyes that work.”
“…You’re Satoru Gojo.” The man said, shocked. “And you’re Ryomen Sukuna.”
“Guilty as charged.” Sukuna said to him.
“I guess my reputation really does precede me.” Satoru said, laughing.
“You’re strong.” The man says, clenching his fists. “Both of you. Famous in your own right…I want to see for myself.”
“Only if we set some ground rules.” Sukuna said to the man, a smirk on his face. “If you apologize and cry, then maybe I’ll spare your life.”
“I think those rules are fair.” Satoru said, grinning, His eyes blazed with the excitement for the fight. It was another thing he appreciated. The lust for a good battle was something he could relate, and why they worked so well in actual fights against curses. “So, how about? Fall to your knees and apologize and we won’t kill you.”
“You brats!” The man said, launching into the fight.
They made quick work of him, it was practically child’s play for both of them. Satoru even took a picture of the guy slumped over and sent it to Satoru as a selfie with both of them in it. He’s sure his unimpressed face looked how he was feeling.
“Let’s go, the girl will be waking up soon and she’s going to freak out once she does.”
“Whatever.” Satoru said, as they teleported to the new room Geto and Shoko were in.
“She’s fine.” Shoko said, looking up at them. “Minor cuts and bruises, nothing too serious.”
“Glad you’re here Shoko, I don’t know what we would do without you.” Geto said, smiling at her. “Your reversed curse technique is a lifesaver.”
“Happy to help.” She said, rolling her eyes. “Even though it’s easy to figure out.”
“For you, maybe.” Satoru said, scoffing. “Your explanation for it is terrible.”
“Not my fault you have no talent.” Shoko muttered.
Satoru leaned close, inspecting the girl passed out on the couch. “So this is his vessel, huh? Interesting choice, I guess.”
Before anyone could respond, her eyes fluttered open, and she slapped him right across the face, jumping off the couch, looking around wildly.
Sukuna burst out into laughter, and that seemed to stop her for a moment.
Shoko turned to her. “We’re not those people who tried to kidnap you. We’re here to protect you.”
“Liar!” She said, glaring at her. “And what’s up with your bags? Or your face tattoos? They look crazy!”
Sukuna rolled his eyes. “It’s part of my cursed technique. I didn’t get them done, if that is what you think. Only sorcerers can see them.”
“And my bangs aren’t crazy…” Geto muttered.
Just then, the elevator opened to reveal a woman in maid’s outfit sitting on top a curse like a horse.
“Crazy bangs is right, Amani. These people are here to help us.”
“I wish you’d stop calling me that.” Geto said forlornly.
Sukuna snickered, and Shoko elbowed him. Sukuna watched as Amani went on about assimilation, and part of him felt bad for her. He knew what it was like to be fed lies about how assimilation worked. He was lucky that that the real Sukuna’s fingers had actually been destroyed, and he, despite being distantly related to him, did not have to suffer the same fate.
Jujutsu society could be cruel like that.
“You changed your home screen?” Geto had asked Satoru. ‘What happened to Sukuna?”
“He’s still my lock screen don’t worry.” Satoru said, smirking. “That picture is too priceless to change. But her, isn’t she hot?”
“Ah, denial at it its finest.” Shoko said, wincing as Sukuna stomped on her foot.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously good looking.” Satoru said.
“Hey, listen to me!” Amani shouted.
“Wow, with that attitude, I bet you’re incredibly popular.” Satoru said dryly, sending a message.
His phone lit up and he too a look. Don’t worry, I could never replace you.
Oh good, I was *so* concerned.
“Are you two done flirting through text?” Shoko asked dryly.
“We weren’t flirting.” Sukuna said to her, rolling his eyes. “So, are we bringing her back or what?”
“Well, if you would actually pay attention instead of talking with Satoru, then you’d know she’s actually going back to school for a few days.” Geto said, sighing. “Which, I might add, is a terrible idea.”
“I agree.” Sukuna said, crossing his arms. “Why don’t we just bring her back?”
“Tengen declared it.” Shoko said. “She has three days left of being a kid.”
Sukuna sighed, “…Wonderful.”
They brought her to the school, watching her from afar, as she had unceremoniously banned them from interacting with her friends.
“I still think this is a terrible idea.” Sukuna said, as they waited outside the school. “Also, we probably look like creeps waiting outside of this school.”
“Which is why I brought a picnic.” Kuroi said, smiling. “I figured you would want to keep a low profile.”
“So, Tengen said to listen to all her demands?” Satoru asked him, popping open a soda. “Talk about lax upbringing.”
“You’re one to talk.” Sukuna said, stealing some of his chips. “Are you head of the Gojo clan?”
“What’s left of it anyway.” Satoru muttered. “And anyway, I was pushed hard in training. It was practically my life. I didn’t have any friends until I forced them to let me go to Jujutsu High.”
“You forced them?” Sukuna asked, slightly amused.
“I mean, what were they going to do? Say no?”
Sukuna laughed. “I suppose so.”
“Think about it though.” Geto said to them, sighing. “Despite everything she seems to think, she’s going to be assimilated with Tengen. All her previous friends, her family, her life, will be gone. All she’ll have is the deepest floor of Jujutsu High.”
“It’s a cruel fate.” Shoko agreed. “But necessary. Without this…who knows what will happen to everyone.”
“You heard Yaga, he said to could effect the normal people too.” Sukuna said. “Which is why this mission has to be a success. Lots of people are counting on us.”
It was then Geto looked up, frowning. “We need to check on her.”
“Why?” Satoru asked him. “I thought you had cursed spirits watching her.”
“Yeah.” Geto said, getting up and walking away. “Two have been exorcized. Shoko, come with me.”
“So much for being incognito in this mission.” She muttered, getting up. “I always have to clean up messes.”
“Guess it’s you and me.” Satoru said, pulling him along. “Let’s go.”
“Fine, but stop pulling me.”
They head to the chapel and Kuroi heads to the music room, but when they burst in, there’s nothing. Just a bunch of girls staring at them. Satoru of course, basks in the attention, but he is not happy to be stared at.
Of course, they couldn’t see the cursed marks, which helped, but he knew they were still looking.
“Riko, you have a boyfriend?!” One of the girls asks.
“He’s my cousin!”
“And he’s in high school?”
“But which one, they’re both dreamy…”
“He’s so tall!”
“Take off your sunglasses!”
With dramatic flair, Satoru took off the sunglasses, and the girls went wide eyed. He rolled his eyes and figured it was time to end this farce.
“Sorry to burst in like this Amani, but we came to let you know of a family issue.” Sukuna said. “We need you back with us.”
“Quiet.” The teacher said, hushing all the girls. She turned to Satoru and said, “Even if you are a relative, I don’t appreciate you barging in. Either of you.”
“Apologies.” Satoru said. “It was a family emergency.”
“Be that as it may, next time please use a bit of discretion.” She muttered.
“Ha, as if you even know that word.” Sukuna said, not before getting elbowed by Satoru.
“Come on Amani, let’s go.” Sukuna said, ushering her out, but not before seeing the teacher give out her number and the girls go crazy. In the chaos, he snuck out with Amani, leaving Satoru to defend himself.
He got out of the room, and Satoru walked out a moment later. “Have fun?”
“How could you leave me alone in there?” Satoru asked him, pouting. “I can’t believe you.”
“You seemed like you had it covered.” Sukuna said to him, shrugging. “Didn’t want to get in the way of your new girlfriends.”
“They’re definitely not my type.” Satoru said, rolling his eyes. “Now come on, we need to head back to the school. It’s not safe here anymore.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Sukuna said.
As they headed back to the school, and Satoru talked to Geto over the phone, he sighed.
I do not get paid enough for this.
As they got onto a rooftop, a few clones appeared. Sukuna sighed. “We’re going to have to fight this guy aren’t we.”
“But they’re clones!” Riko said from Satoru’s side. “How do you know which one is the real one?”
“They’re all real.” Sukuna said, dodging a collision of the two. “And he’s trying to kill you.”
The guy tried to throw a punch, but was stopped. Sukuna rolled his eyes and the guy exclaimed, “What is happening?!”
“Oh great, now you’ll have him going.”
“Infinity.” Satoru said to him, smirking. “It’s like…Achilles and the Tortoise.”
“What?”
“Read a book, your stupid is showing.” Satoru said, smirking once more. He smacked the guy away and began talking.
He’s always so cocky during fights, I swear.
“Interesting technique you have.” Satoru said. “Switching clones and the main body. Useful.”
“But then why is he so weak?” Sukuna asked him. “How…disappointing.”
“How…how do you know about my technique?” The man asked. “I never told you.”
“I don’t need cheap shots like an explanation.” Satoru said, taking off his sunglasses. “Unfortunately for you…I have real good eyes.”
And now the fun begins.
“I can’t believe how completely off the rails this mission has gone.” Shoko said, sighing. “We’re on the beach in Okinawa after rescuing Kuroi.”
“I completely expected it.” Sukuna said. “When has a mission actually gone to plan?”
“I agree.” Geto said, sighing. “I can’t wait to be back tomorrow.”
“Me too.” Sukuna said, looking at Satoru who was playing in the water with Riko. “He’s pushing himself too much.”
“Wow, is that concern I hear in your voice?” Shoko asked.
“Don’t let Satoru hear, he’ll get excited.” Geto muttered. “I’m sick to death of him talking my ear off.”
“I know the pain.” Shoko muttered.
Sukuna gave them both a look, and decided to unpack that later when they had time. “He’s had Infinity on since we’ve left. I know it wears him out.”
“We’ll be leaving in a bit.” Shoko said. “So once we get back to Jujutsu Tech he’ll be able to relax.”
“We all will.” Geto said. “I for one am ready to get back to our usual brand of chaos. This has been a lot for us.”
“You and me both!” Shoko said.
He got up, heading over to Satoru, who had drifted away from Amani and had sat down on the dock a bit away. He sat down next to him, looking at him. The sun was starting to set, and he saw the profile that Satoru had. It made him mad how pretty Satoru could be, like he was blessed.
“You’re overworking yourself.” Sukuna siad to him. “You know you can let go here, right> We’re all here.”
“I just…” Satoru sighed. “I want to be ready if anything happens.”
“I’m here, and so are you.” Sukuna said. “I doubt anyone is getting Riko.”
“We have to be prepared. Just in case.” Satoru said. “She’s not strong enough to take care of herself.”
He tried to put a hand on Satoru’s shoulder, but his hand hit Infinity. He sighed, dropping his hand. Looking into the ocean, he said, “I think you put too much pressure on yourself to help everyone, to be there. Who’s there for you?”
He felt a warm hand slip into his. “You, duh.”
He let a small smile slip. “You wish.”
“I know you’re a secret softie.” Satoru said, chuckling, still looking out at the ocean. “Even if you’ll never admit it.”
“Satoru, Sukuna, time to go.” Geto called.
The warm hand that had been in his moments before left, leaving his hand cold. He almost missed the warmth. He shoved away the feeling, and got up with Satoru.
“Back to reality.” Satoru said, as they headed back to the airport.
The flight was uninterrupted, and they had Jujutsu Tech in their sight. They all let a sigh of relief when they got there. Shoko had broken off a while back, and Geto was going to escort Riko down to where she had to go, while he reported back.
He had got back from the debrief, and that’s when he heard sound of a fight. Confused, he followed the sound, only to see Satoru be stabbed with a weapon, bypassing his Limitless.
How is that possible?
Unsure of what to do, he watches as Satoru lays on the ground. He begins to walk to where Toji is, intent on fighting him, but before he can make a move Satoru’s body floats up as he clearly is now conscious. He begins talking to himself, and he can see the crazed energy in his eyes.
“…Is he on drugs?” The man asked, confused.
I’m wondering the same thing.
He sees Gojo upright now, a grin on his face, showing his exhilarated look. It was then he sees the purple coming from Satoru’s fingers and a chunk is taken out of a man. He sees the man say something to Satoru and Satoru step away. His eyes are still wild, and Sukuna looks at him, touching the blood on his temple, and feeling his arms and torso.
“Are you okay?” Sukuna asked him. “I saw him stab you.”
Satoru laughed, one of hysteria. “I figured it out.”
“What?”
“Reverse curse technique.” Satoru said. “Everything…I feel unstoppable.”
“I’m glad you’re okay.” Sukuna said, brushing the piece of hair that got cut out of his eyes. “I know it’s uncharacteristic of me but…I was worried. Besides,” He smirked. “How will you beat me in a fight if you’re not here?”
One second he was laughing, the next he was being kissed. The press of lips against his was so sudden he didn’t expect it. But he closed his eyes, putting his hand on the back of Satoru’s head. It was like licking a electric cable. The electricity ran through him, making him feel wild and unstable. He opened his eyes, leaning back.
It was now he could no longer suppress the feelings he had. He was in love with the most annoying man he had ever met.
“What was that for?”
Story laughed at him, chuckling. His eyes still wide with that feeling, he said, “Let’s find Suguru. We have a merger to make sure happens.”
He has a horrible feeling something terrible is about to happen, but like an idiot, he follows him.
He can only hope he doesn't regret it.