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Sukuna was patient. He realized that if he went after Yuji again so soon, there could be issues. Not that he cared too much, but he figured it would be more fun to draw it out. So he waited. He waited until his little host had let his guard down, thinking that maybe it had been a one time thing, a fluke if you will, but that didn’t mean he didn’t torment him in the meantime. He took great pleasure in appearing in Yuji’s dreams, constantly in the background, watching him, making sure he understood that Sukuna could and would invade his dreams any time he pleased. That no matter where Yuji went, Sukuna was sure to follow.
Yuji seemed to realize this too, but wasn’t sure what to do about it. He confided in Gojo about it, but there really wasn’t anything the man could do either. So, Sukuna waited and waited and waited. After all, he had years and years of practice and he was more than happy to use that time to think over what his next plan would be. It would have to be absolutely wicked to make his little pet realize that he belonged to Sukuna and Sukuna alone. He was content to wait and plan his revenge in peace. He waited until the perfect moment and then, he struck.
It was almost two weeks later. Yuji was exhausted after a very intense mission and pretty much fell asleep the minute his head hit the pillow. Sukuna grinned and stood up from his throne. It was time.
Yuji smiled as he stood before his old school. Subconsciously, he knew this was a dream, that it wasn’t real, but seeing his old friends, waiting for him by the front doors, sent a wave of warmth through him. He had missed them both dearly, but he knew it had been his decision and he hoped they at least remembered him in passing. As they went inside, Yuji was happy to see that his other friends were there as well. It was strange to see Megumi, Nobara and the others in his old school uniform, but also made him insanely happy.
As Nobara and Maki argued, Yuji could only wish they had been given this chance. A chance to be normal, to be happy. Just a bunch of kids instead of sorcerers with the weight of the world on their shoulders. He wished they could have all been friends; studying, hanging out and just being kids, but for now, he was happy to just have this little bit of peace in his own head. As the bell rang, Yuji raced to his first class and threw the door open.
“Sorry I’m… late.” Yuji trailed off, staring at the man standing at the front of the class.
Sukuna gave him a manic grin, standing there in a simple white shirt and red tie, looking for all intents and purposes like he belonged there. Horror grew in his chest as he stepped inside, trying not to be sick as Sukuna’s eyes locked with his. His bag fell from his shoulder and he swallowed. The other students, faceless, nameless mannequins, were staring at him and he was trying really hard not to scream.
“It’s about time, Itadori-san. Please sit down. Class is about to start.” Sukuna said mockingly.
Yuji swallowed hard. His eyes darted around and he saw the sky outside was turning black. So, it wasn’t just a bad dream. Sukuna was actively corrupting his dream again. Between one blink and the next, there was carnage. The bodies of his fellow students now lay in pieces all around him, blood and guts covered the floor, walls and ceiling. Yuji could smell it, taste it, it was really thick and heavy on his tongue. Sukuna moved out from behind the desk and grinned as he pulled on his tie, loosening it.
“Now. I think you and I have a lesson to finish.” Sukuna purred.
Yuji bolted. He wasn’t stupid. He knew he wasn’t in control of his dream and so, he bolted. He tore down the halls of his school, ignoring the manic laughter coming from behind him. The halls were slick with blood and Yuji slipped trying to get around a corner. He slammed into the wall and paused for a moment, trying to catch his breath, but when he looked up, he saw Sukuna walking towards him. Hands in his pockets, almost amused as he followed Yuji.
“Where do you think you’re going, my little host? Didn’t I tell you before?” Sukuna asked coldly.
“You can’t get away from me.” suddenly appeared all over the walls, just overtop of the blood.
Yuji pushed off the wall and darted down the hall. Turning another corner, he almost cried, but had to keep going. Hanging from the ceiling were the bodies of his friends. He almost retched when he had to push past Nobara’s and Maki’s bodies, their empty eyes staring down at him, as he tried to escape Sukuna’s gaze. He hit the stairwell and looked down, swallowing as he watched the shadows twist and turn below like coiling snakes, only to look back and realize that Sukuna was almost upon him.
“Yuji~” Sukuna cooed.
“Leave me alone!” Yuji snapped.
He hopped over the side and hit the ground running. He was focused on the front door, focused on getting out and waking up. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew, the second he hit the other side of the door, he would be free to escape to the real world. His fingers glazed the door’s handle when his ankles were grabbed and he was dragged backwards with a yelp. He looked back to see two black hands were dragging him back to where Sukuna was standing, eyes wide and smiling maniacally.
“You didn’t think you would get away from me that easily, did you?” Sukuna asked mockingly.
Yuji turned over and looked up. The door was open a crack and he could see his bedroom just on the other side. He reached out, but there was nothing he could do. Sukuna knelt down on top of Yuji’s stomach and grinned, knowing that Yuji had no ability to push him off. Pulling the tie from his neck, he quickly tied Yuji’s hands together and leaned in.
“I’m amazed you thought you could run from me. You honestly thought you could get away. I can’t tell if you are stupid or insanely optimistic.” Sukuna whispered, pressing his body down on top of Yuji’s, who winced and tried to struggle away.
“No, get off!” Yuji yelped as Sukuna bent down and began to nibble on his ear.
“Are you sure you want me to get off?” Sukuna snickered as he moved back until he was sitting on Yuji’s hips and rolled his own, making Yuji let out a struggling, choked sound.
Yuji tried to rip the tie apart, but it was like steel and he couldn’t get free. Feeling tears of frustration and helpless well up in his eyes, Yuji glared at Sukuna, who simply smiled and cupped his cheeks.
“You shouldn’t have taunted me, you little slut. Now, you will pay for it.” Sukuna hissed delighted.
Gojo was taking a lap through the student dorms when he heard the softest whimper coming from Yuji’s room. Pausing, he pressed his ear to the door and heard a choked sound of distress, causing his concern to spike. Pulling open the door, he found Yuji on his bed, eyes squeezed shut, body curled into a ball, his fists clenching and unclenching. He seemed to be shaking.
“Yuji?” Gojo called as he walked over.
Yuji let out another pained sound as Gojo knelt down to look at Yuji’s face. Yuji’s eyes were just barely open, clearly he was attempting to wake up, but something, or someone, was holding him back. Gojo caught on immediately and growled.
“Yuji!” Gojo yelled, shaking him violently.
He hoped to wake his young student up from whatever was happening in his own mind. He continued to yell and shake Yuji.
Yuji’s head tilted back when he vaguely heard another voice echoing from beyond the door. Sukuna leaned back from where he had been nibbling Yuji’s neck, eyes narrowed in anger.
“It seems someone is trying to take you from me.” Sukuna said angrily.
“Sensei.” Yuji whimpered.
Sukuna grabbed Yuji’s chin and jerked his head down. Sukuna’s teeth were bared.
“You will NOT call someone else’s name in my presence or I will kill that man.” Sukuna hissed.
Yuji glared and spit at him.
“You don’t own me!” Yuji yelled.
The door jerked open and Yuji could feel himself being dragged into the real world. Just before he was able to fully wake up, Yuji felt a sheering pain in his neck and one final declaration from Sukuna.
“I will never let you go.”
Yuji’s eyes jerked awake and Gojo pulled back as Yuji quickly sat up, panting and shaking. His eyes were wide and he was clearly very upset, but that’s not what Gojo was concerned about. It was the bite mark that appeared on Yuji’s neck that started to sluggishly bleed. Yuji’s hand came up and his fingers came back covered in blood. Lower lip shaking, Yuji slowly turned to Gojo and stared at him in horror.
“Sensei, what is happening?” Yuji whispered.
Gojo sat beside Yuji in Shoko’s office, watching as she gently wrapped his wound. She seemed like she could care less, but Gojo knew she was trying to figure out what was going on between them. She didn’t seem to believe that Sukuna had made the mark.
“So I think that’s about it.” Shoko said, leaning back.
She started to pull off her gloves as she turned to Gojo.
“Now, do you want to tell me how the hell I am going to explain this in my report?” Shoko asked as she reached for her cigarettes.
Yuji whined loudly, idly rubbing the mark.
“Sensei, we told you already! It was Sukuna!” Yuji mumbled.
Shoko raised an eyebrow as she lit her cigarette.
“Rightttt.” she muttered.
“Ieiri, he’s telling the truth. Sukuna is able to physically manifest, so it’s not a shock that he could inflict wounds and have them appear on Yuji’s body.” Gojo stated.
Shoko paused and then sighed deeply. She picked up her report and eyed it.
“Gojo, you know this is going to be a big deal.” Shoko pointed out.
“I know, but for right now, just keep it on the downlow, ok?” Gojo smiled and Shoko just rolled her eyes.
“Fine, but you owe me.” Shoko muttered as the two got up.
“Thanks Ieiri. I’ll bring you back some sweets next time I’m in Tokyo.” Gojo said as they left.
Shoko huffed and crossed her arms.
“You better!” she called as he slapped the door shut behind them.
Stepping out of the office, Yuji leaned against the wall and stared at the floor. Gojo eyed him and sighed.
“You ok?” Gojo asked.
Yuji eyed him and then looked away.
“I just… don’t know what to do.” Yuji muttered.
Gojo went to wrap an arm around Yuji’s shoulders, only to stop. A bit annoyed himself, he ruffled Yuji’s hair instead, making him yelp. Hand in his hair, Yuji looked up at him.
“We’ll figure it out.” Gojo declared and Yuji gave a small smile.
“Thanks Sensei.” Yuji muttered.