I tried to breathe, but the air felt like razor blades shooting through my veins. My chest was tightening, crashing in around me, making it almost impossible for my heart to operate as it should.

I had to fight just to keep my knees from giving out. The world around me went dark. It was like my life flashed before me, and a life without him, it was darkness and dread and fear.

I wanted everyone involved to suffer. I was ready for the world to feel the same agony. There wasn't a single trace of hope left within me as the unforgiving pain and torment took over.

The darkness I had fought so fervently to keep out, I let it consume me. Fully this time.

"Where is he?" I asked in a cold voice, slowly taking steps towards him.

"Geto has the prison realm."

The prison realm. I couldn't believe they had him sealed away in one of the most powerful, taboo objects in the sorcerer world.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of small tears escaping. I let the sensation fuel me for what was to come next. I didn't need to hold back anymore.

Nothing mattered.

With the death of my clan, I had no past. With the sealing of Satoru, I had no future. And now, with the shattered echoes of my heart, I was presently free. Free to act without consequence because I had nothing left to lose.

"What do you want to do, my dear?" Sukuna cooed in my ear as he laid a hand on my shoulder.

"I want to watch them all burn."

He smirked as he inched closer, letting me feel the soft warmth of his breath as he whispered to me, "Consider it done."

Sukuna sprang forward, landing a sharp blow on to Jogo, causing him to crash through the wall and out of the side of the building.

"You coming?" Sukuna smirked.

I nodded once before following him swiftly outside. Over and over again, Sukuna landed hits on Jogo as he flew upwards in the air.

I stood on the street, observing, and smirked as Sukuna grabbed Jogo's throat before smashing him back down into the ground.

Bits of concrete and debris from the nearby buildings and the paved road went soaring as Sukuna towered over the cursed spirit.

Jogo forced himself to his feet, blood pouring out of his mouth. Sukuna grabbed the hooded robe, pulling Jogo into the air, "Y/n, are you bored yet? Or should I keep going?"

"Keep going."

"Mm, I think I'll let him get a chance then. I'm rather bored myself."

The cursed spirit tried to land hits on Sukuna, but he quickly weaved through the attempts, causing a dance of confusion for Jogo.

The clear gap between the two was astounding. Jogo didn't stand a chance, even as a special grade.

As Jogo began to realize his dire situation, he prepared for his ultimate attack, "Maximum: Meteor!"

Sukuna walked casually up to me as Jogo began, "It's pathetic isn't it?"

"I'm ending this," I said before walking towards where Jogo was going to end up landing. Sukuna was right on my heels as he shoved his hands in his pockets, a proud smile on his face.

We began to approach an ongoing fight between sorcerers and cursed users. They were in our way as we migrated to Jogo's attack.

"Listen up! These special grades are going to smash us!" Kusakabe, a grade 1 sorcerer from jujutsu high, yelled. "Hurry up and run!"

Sukuna chuckled as we walked by, making our way through their little battleground. He was right, they were way out of their league.

Elephants tap dancing on ants... They're the ants.

"I won't allow that," Sukuna spoke up. "You are forbidden from moving until I say otherwise. Break my rule, and I will kill you."

But when I saw Panda and Kusakabe, the smallest flicker of compassion raced through me. I didn't want to leave them here totally helpless in a pointless battle.

As we walked by, I took my darkness technique and slashed through the two cursed users they were fighting, barely even glancing over as their bodies came apart and bled out on the ground.

Sukuna looked at me from the corner of his eye, "Looks like someone's not in the mood for games."

"Y/n?..." Kusakabe and Panda said in unison, watching me with wide eyes, terror and sadness twisted up on their face.

"Do as he says if you want to live. Or don't," I kept my eyes straight forward, ignoring their pleading gazes. "I don't care."

And at this point, I meant it. I didn't know either of them very well. Maki and Toge both liked these two though, so I figured I'd let them live for now. But I wouldn't stop Sukuna if he changed his mind.

Sukuna laughed as he stood next to me, slicking back his hair as we continued forward, "We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

Jogo was approaching the earth with his ultimate attack, but as it was about to hit, Sukuna quickly deflected it. We waited there, unfazed and unharmed.

Jogo stared at us in disbelief as he realized he didn't have a single scratch to show for his ultimate move.

I brought my hand in front of me, centering my cursed energy as I prepared for my attack, "My turn."

"Ooh, is it your domain?" Sukuna asked.

"He may think he'd be able to counter with his own domain," I spoke up. "And I don't want to give him any false hope."

I quickly wrapped me and Sukuna in my darkness, keeping us close and steady to prepare for the upcoming impact.

"Cursed Technique: Black Hurricane."

We stood safely in the middle of the technique, the center of its eye, as the cursed energy swirled around us. It moved rapidly, creating a whirlpool of ferocious energy and electricity.

We felt the winds blow and the ground shake as the technique began to whip up more momentum. The black chaos enveloping us became infused with wreckage as the surrounding buildings were caught in the vortex.

I watched as the increased cursed energy became too much for Jogo to withstand, and his body broke apart in front of us, shredding to bits and getting lost in the hurricane.

I slowly let the cursed technique fade, feeling nothing but a hint of exhaustion as I observed the massive amount of destruction I had caused.

"Were you just showing off for me?" Sukuna teased as I let him loose from my grasp.

"Only two left," I looked over him, feeling a strange kinship forming between us.

"Mm? And which two would that be?"

"Geto and stitches."

"Well I'd love to help," he smirked. "Or just watch. I am enjoying myself."

"I don't care what you do," I huffed out and turned to leave before he appeared directly in front of me, blocking my way.

"You, Y/n, are quite remarkable," he whispered.

"It'll all mean nothing if I can't save him."

"You would've been the most powerful one of your clan, even during my era. Don't you realize that? I doubt anyone knows just how deep your ability stretches. Least of all, you."

I didn't know why, but as I stared at him, it almost felt it I had know him for countless of years. His dark eyes were vicious and greedy, but so passionate and purposeful.

"I thought you were supposed to be a demon?" I asked as I tilted my head.

He scoffed, "I guess it just depends on who you ask."

"You don't seem like one to me..."

He smiled at me, "Of course not. Just like you're not a rampant killer. That's why I always liked you Sato's, we have more in common than you know."

We were both misunderstood, and yet we somehow understood each other. I don't know how I ended up here, but right now, I found myself trusting Sukuna more than anyone.

And with Satoru sealed, I needed an ally. Just one who's loyalty could match my own.

"Sukuna," I said softly as I bit my lip. "I need a favor."

His eyes narrowed at me, "I don't really do favors, Y/n."

"Please," I whispered as I grabbed his hands. "You're going to be stuck with Yuuji for who knows how long. Please, I need you to protect them."

"Who's them?" he asked in a growl, but his face softened as he looked down at me.

"The same ones as before, Sukuna. My first years. And Satoru. I need to know they'll be safe. No matter what happens."

"Itadori and Fushiguro, fine," he agreed. "I don't care about the other one. And Gojo can protect himself."

"Sukuna," my eyes began to tear up now, the news of Satoru still stinging like a fresh wound. If he could protect himself, then how did we end up here? "Promise me. I'll do anything. They have to survive."

"Is that truly what you want?"

"No matter what," I reiterated.

"Yes."

"Yes? What do you mean yes?"

He smirked down at me, "Yes. I promise you. I'll do you this favor."

"Thank you," I closed my eyes and let out a soft sigh of relief. As long as I knew they had someone to protect them. That's all I needed. Even if it was just a false sense of security.

"What do I need to do in return?" I asked him as I regained my composure.

"I have another memory to show you. To make sure you don't do anything fucking stupid."

I nodded and allowed him to pull my mask down. The last time we connected, my entire life was shattered... And I was scared to even think about what was coming for me this time.

"Master Sukuna," a voice called out, interrupting us. "I've come to escort you."

"Huh? And who the fuck are you?" he snarled as he let go of my face to look over his shoulder. "Wait... Uraume!?"

"Yes, sir. It's good to see you," she bowed with a soft smile. "It's good to see you as well Master Sato."

"Master Sato?" I looked up at Sukuna.

He quickly returned his attention to me, his eyes intense as he held my gaze. He put his hand up to cup my face, stroking my cheek lightly with his thumb.

"It'll all make sense soon," he huffed out as he leaned in, laying a kiss on my lips, sharing yet another one of his past memories.

•••••

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